Pool 5 in the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with Forte a clear-cut favorite among 40 wagering options following the customary three-day run.

Forte, a sharp winner of the March 4 Fountain of Youth for trainer Todd Pletcher, closed as the 3-1 favorite, followed by a second Pletcher trainee, Tapit Trice (8-1), winner of the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday. The mutuel field, the 40th or “all-others” option, was next at 10-1, followed by Practical Move (12-1) and Instant Coffee (19-1). Everything else was 24-1 or higher.

Confidence Game, one-length winner of the Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park, is unlikely to run back March 25 in the Louisiana Derby. Trainer Keith Desmormeaux is keeping options open for Confidence Game, who could run on April 1 in the Arkansas Derby, on April 8 in the Blue Grass, or train right into the Kentucky Derby. 

Arabian Knight, undefeated in two races and rated among the leading candidates for the Triple Crown, has been taken out of training, owner Amr Zedan announced in a message on Twitter late Saturday night.

“Trainer Tim Yakteen wasn’t happy with his last work & we feel it’s in Arabian Knight’s best interest not to rush & allow him more time to develop,” the statement read, in part.

The message said that Arabian Knight will be considered for a summer and fall campaign.

Three of the biggest names among the California-based 3-year-olds had workouts at Santa Anita on Thursday, a day before the expected arrival of a rainstorm.

Arabian Knight, who has won his two starts by a combined 12 3/4 lengths, worked six furlongs in 1:13.60 on Thursday. He had worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds on Saturday.

Reincarnate, a game third with trouble in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 25, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – One week after Forte further entrenched himself as the Kentucky Derby favorite, trainer Todd Pletcher will be looking for at least one more of his talented 3-year-olds to emerge as a contender for the May 6 Run for the Roses.

In the process, Pletcher stands an excellent chance to extend his own record for victories by a trainer in the annual showcase at Tampa Bay Downs when represented Saturday by Tapit Trice and Shesterkin in the Grade 3, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Tapit Trice heads a field of 12 3-year-olds set to go Saturday in the lone Kentucky Derby qualifying race of the weekend, the Grade 3, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

Tapit Trice, trained by Todd Pletcher, will leave from post 6 with Luis Saez aboard in the 1 1/16-mile race. The gray Tapit colt will be making his stakes debut following a last-out allowance romp at Gulfstream Park.

Two Phil’s, second in the Lecomte Stakes and third in the Risen Star, has left Fair Grounds and settled into trainer Larry Rivelli’s string at Hawthorne, and will make his next start March 25 at Turfway Park in the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Stakes.  

Two Phil’s has made all seven of his starts and dirt and will be trying a synthetic surface for the first time. Rivelli said the other option was a long trip to the $600,000 Sunland Park Derby on March 26, but that race has been ruled out. 

Trainer Brad Cox still is sorting where to run a bevy of Fair Grounds-based Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Cox had three runners in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds and figures to have at least that many in the March 25 Louisiana Derby there. 

Confidence Game, one-length winner of the Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park, is unlikely to run back March 25 in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, where he is training. Trainer Keith Desormeaux is keeping options open for Confidence Game, who could run on April 1 in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, on April 8 in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, or train right into the Kentucky Derby. 

Practical Move

Practical Joke – Ack Naughty, by Afleet Alex

Bred in Kentucky by Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners ($230,000 OBS April 2-year-old purchase by Pierre Amestoy, Leslie Amestoy, and Roger Beasley)

Practical Move is the biggest mover on this week’s Derby Watch Top 20, climbing up the list with his victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe last Saturday. He was part of a strong day for Practical Joke, a son of record-setting leading sire and classic sire Into Mischief.