Derma Sotogake Kentucky Derby Horse Odds, History & Predictions (Japan's Derby Hopeful is Highly Rated Contender)

It's finally time to bet on the Kentucky Derby. In just a few short days, 20 of the world's top 3-year-old horses will participate in the 149th Run for the Roses and aim for eternal glory.

One leading contender everyone has their eyes on ahead of this race is Derma Sotogake, who enters with a ton of positive momentum. Here's everything you need to know about this Japanese-bred colt before he vies for the 2023 Kentucky Debry crown.

Derma Sotogake Kentucky Derby Odds and Post Position

Derma Sotogake currently owns 10-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby after the post positions were announced on Monday. Derma Sotogake drew post position 17, just outside of Derby favorite Forte (15). No horse has ever won the Derby breaking from post 17.

Derma Sotogake Horse Trainer and Jockey

Derma Sotogake is trained by Hidetaka Otonashi, a former jockey in his native Japan who is approaching a 1,000-win milestone as a trainer since 1995. He brings his first horse to the Kentucky Derby.

Derma Sotogake's jockey for the 2023 Kentucky Derby is Christophe Lemaire, who guided the horse to victory in the UAE Derby. Lemaire makes his second straight appearance in the Kentucky Derby after his horse finished 13th last year. Lemaire has won races in the US before with a victory in the 2012 Breeders' Cup being a notable highlight.

Derma Sotogake Race History

Derma Sotogake has won four of his last five starts, including his most recent romp in the UAE Derby -- a major Championship Series prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Derma Sotogake is a legit leading top win contender in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

Derma Sotogake Kentucky Derby Prediction and Pick

Derma Sotogake will try to end the UAE Derby runners' record of 0-for-19 in the Kentucky Derby. This Japanese-bred colt looks like the best bet yet to break that dubious streak.

The UAE Derby is contested at 1,900 meters, or 1 3/16 miles at nearly 9.5 furlongs. By comparison, the Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4 miles, 10 furlongs). That's longer than any of the other Derby entrants have run with most at 1 1/8 miles for their final Derby prep race. His speed looks most impressive.

When winning the UAE Derby by more than 5 lengths in wire-to-wire fashion, Derma Sotogake's performance was rated as the best by a 3-year-old this year in the most recent Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. He's kept better company and raced against better runners than Japanese-bred Mandarin Hero, a Kentucky Derby alternate who finished second in the Santa Anita Derby by just a nose to Practical Joke.

Derma Sotogake's estimated fractions in the race were as follows: 48 3/5; 1:13 2/5; 1:38; 1:55 4/5. To compare, the winner of the Louisiana Derby, Kingsbarns, ran a similar slow early/fast late race shape, going close to the same 9.5 furlongs distance. His fractions were 49 3/5; 1:14 3/5; 1:39; 1:57 1/5. Those two raced on the lead in those victories, but Derma Sotogake may settle behind the leaders and stalk the pace in the Kentucky Derby.

Bettors looking for a horse to back should look no further than Derma Sotogake, who should have sustained energy through the stretch and to the wire. Despite the UAB runners' history and naysayers, Derma Sotogake brings a great degree of reliability in this race as a definite top win contender to add to your wagers, including exotics.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.