Two weeks.

It’s getting closer to Derby Day but it’s still a little too early to be listing favorites. I hope to - once it gets a little closer to race day.

To run in the Kentucky Derby, Thoroughbreds must be 3 years old, and must have run a certain amount of graded stakes races to get an invitation. That is the simplest way to explain what is a pretty complex process. In essence, a chance to run the Kentucky Derby involves a lot of climbing the ladder, and proving the horse has the chops.

The field won’t be set until draw day. At the draw, the horses are randomly assigned their post position. The draw for the Derby will happen the week of the race, which happens for all races. Usually, the horse’s name is drawn then a corresponding number of a hole, 1 through 20, is drawn. They are actually drawn from a hat or a jar or the like, hence the name.  The closer you are to the No.1 hole, the closer the horse is to the inside. That can be good, depending on the horse. Trainers hope for the hole that they know their horse will  run best in. If they need to get out and get ahead right away, an inside hole is best. If the horse breaks real well from the outside, that might be OK, he can get out and in front and move to the inside of the track early.

Although there are about four races left that can help sway a horses’ chances of getting into the Derby, the Daily Racing Forum has already listed its top 20 contenders.  Sadly, I don’t see any girls (i.e. fillies, mares, female horses).

Here they are, as of Thursday, according to the DRF:

• Dialed In
• Uncle Mo
• Nehro
• Archarcharch
• Toby’s Corner
• Midnight Interlude
• Mucho Macho Man
• Master of Hounds
• Pants On Fire
• Soldat
• Animal Kingdom
• Brillant Speed
• Comma to the Top
• Shackleford
• Santiva
• Stay Thirsty
• Twinspired
• Decisive Moment
• Twice the Appeal
• Watch Me Go