The field for the 134th Kentucky Derby is set and its time to seperate the pretenders from the contenders:

FAVORITES
#20 Big Brown (3-1) will have to overcome the fact he has only ran in three races. A horse with that few of races has not won the Derby in 93 years. Now,  he will also have to become the first horse to win the race from the No. 20 post since 1929.  His initial workouts at Churchill were impressive as he ran three furlongs in 35.33. The horse has the

Santa Anita Derby winner #10 Colonel John (4-1) is the best from the West. He comes to Churchill having never ran on dirt and that is reason for concern. His style suggests he be more than able to handle 1 1/4 miles. He's training well and right now is my pick to win the race and has been for the past six weeks, that could change by time I get to the window though.

If the Derby were ran a month ago, #9 Pyro (6-1) may have gone off as the favorite. However, a terrible showing in the Bluegrass Stakes (10th place, lost by 11 1/2 lengths) last month was enough to raise concern. Still, this horse is more than capable of making a Triple Crown run and has to be considered here.

CONTENDERS
#2 Tale of Ekati (15-1): This horse is a wildcard and has heart; Trainer Barclay Tagg did it with another horse like that a few years back with Funny Cide.

#14 Monba (15-1): Already has win over the track and is coming off surprising win at Bluegrass; has to be considered in the exotics.

#5 Eight Belles (15-1): That she would go in the Oaks, but instead she is the latest filly to take on the boys.

#6 Z Fortune (15-1): After losing early ground in Arkansas Derby he showed what he can do finishing second by a nose; Can do some damage.

#19 Gayego (15-1): California-bred did good moving from sythetic to dirt surface, but will have to overcome tough post position.

MY LONGSHOTS
#16 Denis of Cork (20-1): Horse is on his home course and jockey Calvin Borel knows the race all too well; great play for the price.

#17 Cowboy Cal (20-1): He went from the turf to the polytrack and did well, can he do the same moving to the dirt of Churchill Downs?

MY TRIFECTA
$2 Trifecta wheel 10/9 with the 10/9/2/14 wtih 10/9/2/14/5/16 - total cost $48 (could pay in the thousands); you can also go $1 Tri-wheel for $24:

Win - #10 Colonel John, #9 Pyro
Place - #10 Colonel John, #9 Pyro, #2 Tale of Ekati, #14 Monba
Show - #10 Colonel John, #9 Pyro, #2 Tale of Ekati, #14 Monba, #6 Z Fortune , #16 Denis of Cork

OTHER LINKS
Derby Party Game (pdf) - Take your party to antoher level with our FREE and simple party game
Triple Crown Lowdown (mp3) - Horse Racing guru Ryan Wolking joins me on GetSportsRadio.com to break it all down