Fans Lose Millions of Dollars Even Before the Start of Kentucky Derby 2023 Following Infamous Beginning of the Biggest Horse Race of the Year

With the 2023 Kentucky Derby starting in a short while, a major shock has rocked the equestrian world. Due to an injury to its right front foot, Derby favorite Forte has been forced to withdraw from the race. With four horses already disqualified from the highly anticipated event, Forte’s disqualification has sparked a heated reaction from fans.

Forte was favored by oddsmakers at 3-1. Just hours before the big race, his disqualification has changed the odds for the Kentucky Derby.

The winners and the losers of this huge change

While some benefited from the elimination of the pre-race favorite, others have suffered a loss that might be in the millions. Forte, was heavily gambled on for his brilliant performance in the months leading up to the 149th run of the Derby. To add to the odds several well-known figures had offered prizes as incentives for him to take the cup. Now that Forte won’t be running, the betting audience’s attention has shifted to the other pre-race favorites, Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire, both with odds of 9-2 as reported by The Lines.

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The two horses should not be underestimated. Tapit Trice’s history includes four consecutive race victories and $883,650 in prize money. Two of those wins were in Grade 1 and Grade 3 races: the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. Meanwhile, Angel of Empire has a total of $1,026,375 and a Brisnet Speed rating of 101 after his victory in the Arkansas Derby (Grade 1). Bettors are going to have a tough time deciding between two fantastic colts in the final hours before the Derby.

Updated 2023 Kentucky Derby odds

Not all has been lost for the equestrian community. The odds have already been adjusted after the elimination of five colts from the Run for the Roses, as time and the betting community waits for no one.

1. Hit Show: 27-1
2. Verifying: 17-1
3. Two Phil’s: 7-1
4. Confidence Game: 16-1
5. Tapit Trice: 9-2
6. Kingsbarns: 10-1
7. Reincarnate: 12-1
8. Mage: 17-1
9. Skinner: SCR
10. Practical Move: SCR
11. Disarm: 24-1
12. Jace’s Road: 32-1
13. Sun Thunder: 30-1
14. Angel Of Empire: 9-2
15. Forte: SCR
16. Raise Cain: 30-1
17. Derma Sotogake: 7-1
18. Rocket Can: 27-1
19. Lord Miles: SCR
20. Continuar: SCR
21. Cyclone Mischief: 33-1
22. Mandarin Hero: 21-1
23. King Russell: 33-1

Derby history shows that pre-race favorites don’t always come out on top, as underdogs with impossible odds have won the race in the past. Rich Strike, a horse with odds of 80-1, beat off Zandon (3-1) and Epicenter (7-2) to win the event last year. Due to Forte’s elimination, the spectators at Churchill Downs may now root for the underdogs.

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