2023 Tampa Bay Derby morning-line odds, picks, post time: Racing insider offers betting strategy for Saturday's Kentucky Derby prep race

The Todd Pletcher-trained Tapit Trice can establish himself as one of the leading contender for the Kentucky Derby when he leaves the starting gate in the 2023 Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs outside of Tampa, Fla. A $1.3 million purchase two years ago, Tapit Trice has two wins and one third in three career starts. He has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the 2023 Tampa Bay Derby odds. Shesterkin, who also is trained by Pletcher, is the 9-2 second choice in the 12-horse Tampa Bay Derby field. Post time for the $400,000 race is 5:15 p.m. ET.

With several lightly raced 3-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir has to say before making any Tampa Bay Derby picks. 

A member of the Beyer Speed Figure-making team who is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Weir is a two-time qualifier for the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. He has produced multiple five-figure days at the track over the years, including a $60,000 Pick 6 at Del Mar in 2014.

Last year he was red-hot in the Triple Crown prep races, hitting the superfecta in the Blue Grass Stakes, the trifecta in the Louisiana Derby and exactas in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby. He also hit the 19-1 winner of the Man o' War Stakes, the trifecta in the Pegasus World Cup, the superfecta in the Met Mile and multiple Pick 4s, including May 14's at Belmont for $1,851.

And Weir has crushed the Tampa Bay Derby the last two years. In 2021, he hit the exacta for $1,414, and last year he nailed the race for $660.

For Saturday, Weir has handicapped the 2023 Tampa Bay Derby field, made his picks and constructed his bets.

One surprise: Weir is taking a stand against Shesterkin, even though he is the second choice on the morning line, at 9-2. "Shesterkin is capable, but the value in this race is probably trying to get this horse off the board," Weir told SportsLine.

Instead, Weir's top pick is a horse "who should excel with extra distance." He also is high on a big double-digit longshot who "could be overlooked on the toteboard." Weir is including these horses in his 2023 Tampa Bay Derby bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any of your own!

Who will win the Tampa Bay Derby 2023? What double-digit longshot is a MUST-BACK? And how has Weir constructed his wagers? ... Join SportsLine right now to get the top 2023 Tampa Bay Derby picks, all from the racing insider who has crushed the Tampa Bay Derby the last two years!