Kentucky Derby: Forte nears first Churchill workout

Forte, the clear-cut favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, has settled into a daily routine at Churchill Downs after arriving before dawn Monday following the long overnight van ride from trainer Todd Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida. The Florida Derby winner was sent through easy gallops Tuesday and Wednesday morning and was scheduled to be sent through his first Churchill workout Thursday or Friday, depending on weather.

The same sort of upcoming schedule applies to Tapit Trice, the Pletcher trainee who arrived from Keeneland on Monday, some nine days after winning the Blue Grass Stakes. Tapit Trice is the second choice on most pre-Derby rankings, including on the latest Daily Racing Form Derby Watch.

Pletcher, stabled in Barn 39 for the first time, arrived Monday night in Louisville and intends to remain in Kentucky through the Derby.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

Derma Sotogake, the third choice in the latest Derby Watch, had his first Churchill breeze when going a half-mile in 49.60 seconds early Wednesday. Churchill clocker John Nichols timed the Japanese-bred colt in splits of 13 and 37.20.

Derma Sotogake was a 5 1/2-length winner of the March 25 UAE Derby in his final Derby prep.

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