The Contenders

David Grening: Finished fast and still won with something left in Arkansas; think he's primed for top effort

David Aragona: No argument with him being Derby favorite; will just note he didn't beat a strong group at OP

David Grening: Overcome slow pace and tough foes to win Fla. Derby; amazingly will likely need new rider

David Aragona: Won the best prep and has proven he can do it with different kinds of trips; solid contender

David Grening: The Preakness is at Laurel, the Belmont is at Saratoga; can they move the Derby to Keeneland?

David Aragona: Is he a Keeneland horse-for-course, or did he just catch particularly weak competition there?

David Grening: Battle-tested for sure with four-race campaign; wide trips last two indicate distance no issue

David Aragona: Proved he's one of this crop's elites; just wonder if more distance suits him as well as others

David Grening: Still playing catch-up to the division's best; did gallop out like 1 1/4M within reach

David Aragona: Thought he got a good trip, and had every chance in Florida Derby; just couldn't go by top two

David Grening: Had beautiful trip beating suspect group in Santa Anita Derby; waters get deeper in Ky.

David Aragona: SA Derby was no lighter than Blue Grass or Wood, and he finished well; hardly out of this.

David Grening: Not sure what he's beaten in Japan, but has impressed; tactical speed serves him well

David Aragona: He's relatively untested but has made a positive visual impression in every start; wild card

David Grening: Credit for battling to win Louisiana Derby; lack of experience still a concern.

David Aragona: Ranged up like he was going to win more easily than he ultimately did; must do better in Derby.

David Grening: Gritty 2nd in SA Derby, probably better with a target; not sure he wants 1 1/4M.

David Aragona: Didn't see much of an excuse in final prep, but hard to count out Baffert in the Derby.

David Grening: Figured to benefit from added distance; obviously has to answer the dirt question

David Aragona: Many parallels between him and last year's Derby 4th Final Gambit; can he take to dirt as well?

David Grening: Finished strong with rail run to rebound from Holy Bull dud; believe he handles distance.

David Aragona: Beat mediocre field with perfect trip; has the look of a horse who will be overbet in the Derby.

David Grening: Best race may be sitting farther back in race with pace; always shows up and will be a price.

David Aragona: Don't love that his progression appears to have stalled; does have right kind of style for Derby.

David Grening: Slight improvement perhaps with blinkers but still leaves himself too much to do.

David Aragona: Got his preferred pace setup and still couldn't win; might just be a cut below the best 3YOs.

David Grening: Was certainly game in defeat, just don't see the trip that makes him a winner in Louisville.

David Aragona: Has attained a new level since they've started riding him aggressively; showed heart in defeat.

David Grening: Credit for jumping from maiden to G2 Wood win; would have to get faster in a hurry.

David Aragona: Appreciate the way he adapted to a new running style in Wood, but benefited from hot pace.

David Grening: Solid effort but ran down a horse who might be distance-challenged.

David Aragona: His form was underrated coming into UAE Derby; still a big leap to take down best in the U.S.

David Grening: Sit back, make a run, pass as many as you can, and enjoy the experience.

David Aragona: His performance really underscores how dramatically the early pace came apart in the Wood.

David Grening: Good effort first time going two turns, not sure he'll benefit from 1 1/4M.

David Aragona: If nothing else, should be a major pace presence; seemed unrateable in UAE Derby.

David Grening: Has potential to get better as year progresses; don't see him as Derby factor if they run.

David Aragona: Wouldn't fault for taking a shot, but there wasn't much behind him in thin Blue Grass field.

David Grening: Likely nothing more than a pacesetter; connections still mulling options.

David Aragona: Took advantage of favorable setup and race flow in Risen Star; other races don't measure up.