Contenders for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby

It’s Derby time in the Derby City!!!!!! WOOO!!!!!!

Again, as evidenced by my showing last year, I know nothing about the ponies. This year Straitpinkie.com may or may not have hired a turf expert to give you some more indepth coverage this week. However, for now it’s still me. I am three for my last four, and still contend that if Quality Road wouldn’t have had bad hooves i’d be riding a four year winning streak… Instead I am now 6-16 in 22 years of action.

This year’s favorite, Eskendereya, has already suffered the same fate as Quality Road did last year. Eskendereya will not race on Saturday. This is a huge blow to Todd Pletcher, who has won just about every race there is except for the Kentucky Derby. He will still have up to six other entrants into the Run For The Roses however.

Here’s a quick look at this year’s possible field:

American Lion - Won the Illinois Derby back on 4/3/2010. Is the son of Horse of the Year and dual Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) king Tiznow.

Awesome Act - James Scully and Kellie Reilly like this horse to wear the Rose blanket in 2010 as of yesterday. Showed in the Wood Memorial.

Backtalk - The son of 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones.

Conveyance - Along with Lookin’ At Lucky, Conveyance will try and win one for the silver-haired Bob Baffert. In 2010 won the San Rafael Stakes and The Southwest before placing to Endorsement in the Sunland Derby.

Dean’s Kitten - Won the Lane’s End his last time out. Better on turf and synthetic, don’t expect much outta him on Derby dirt.

Discreetly Mine - Won the Risen Star and finished 4th in the Louisiana Derby. Another Todd Pletcher horse.

Dublin - Trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas.

Endorsement - John Asher’s initial pick to win it all. Already won the Sunland Derby.

Eskendereya - As previously mentioned the fave has been scratched. It is possible the filly Devil May Care – slated to run in the Oaks – might replace Eskendereya for Todd Pletcher.

Homeboykris - Joe Torre’s horse is also trained by Rick Dutrow, who saddled Big Brown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Icebox - Winner of the Florida Derby (GI), one of two Nick Zito horses.

Interactif - Hasn’t really impressed anywhere. Finished 4th in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Yet another Todd Pletcher horse.

Jackson Bend - Nick Zito’s other entrant, second to the favorite in his last two races.

Line of David - Arkansas Derby (GI) winner.

Lookin At Lucky - Jill Byrne and Jennifer Caldwell’s pick to click as of Sunday.

Make Music For Me - Showed in the CashCall Futurity. Relying on connections to make the Derby field.

Mission Impazible - Won the Louisiana Derby. Yep, ANOTHER Todd Pletcher entrant.

Noble’s Promise - Showed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and finished 5th in the Arkansas Derby.

Paddy O’Prado - Three-time Kentucky Derby winner Kent Desormeaux has the Derby mount.

Rule - Rule’s sire is Grade 1 winner Roman Ruler, who is a son of Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning stallion Fusaichi Pegasus. Won the Delta Jackpot and the Sam F. Davis.

Setsuko - Finished 2nd in the Sham and the Santa Anita Derby.

Sidney’s Candy - Has won the San Vicente, the San Felipe and the Santa Anita Derby. In his only start at 1 1/4 miles, Candy Ride blazed to a track record-setting victory in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

Stately Victor - Won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

Super Saver - Ridden by Calvin Borel, if i’d only heeded my own advice (never bet against “Bo-rail”) I coulda earned a small fortune last year. I’m gonna be just as stubborn again in oh-ten. I don’t see Calvin going back-to-back.

Obviously all 24 of these beasts won’t be running on Saturday. Stay tuned to the Pinkie for updates as the week rolls on. 2010 Kentucky Derby Draw is set for Wednesday.