LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With starters 44 and 45 in this year’s Kentucky Derby, trainer Todd Pletcher is edging ever closer to the record held by D. Wayne Lukas, under whom Pletcher apprenticed before beginning his own decorated career.

Pletcher has won a record-setting seven Eclipse Awards as champion trainer, while Lukas has amassed four. At the Derby, though, Lukas – who does not have a horse in this year’s race – owns four wins from his record 48 starters, while Pletcher has one, with Super Saver in 2010.

Angel Castillo, the jockey who was removed from his mounts last year after state officials accused him of having an illegal electrical device, has filed a lawsuit against the director of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission alleging defamation and a violation of his rights.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chad Brown doesn’t mind having a reputation as a turf trainer. But he doesn’t want to be known as just a turf trainer.

Yes, 85 of his 106 graded stakes victories and 138 of his 203 total stakes wins have come on turf. But his overall win percentage on dirt (24.3 percent) is on par with that on turf (25.3 percent) from 800 fewer starters.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

TRACK: Fast

WEATHER: Cloudy

TEMP.:  55

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There was lots to look at and lots to look for during Tuesday’s Kentucky Derby/Kentucky Oaks training session, which featured the first local gallop from the undefeated Nyquist and first real local work by the Japanese invader Lani, whose training regimen leading up to the race has been a bit unusual and eventful.

Deshawn Parker became the 32nd rider to win 5,000 races Monday night, when he won the third race at Mountaineer Park aboard Be Nice for trainer Eric Reed.

Parker, a 45-year-old native of Cincinnati, has been riding since 1988. He is the all-time leading rider at Mountaineer, has twice led the nation in wins, and has won 200 or more races in 13 of the last 14 years.

Here's a collection of some of the biggest stories in horse racing, all in one place. Unless noted, all of the links here are to free stories on DRF.com.

Kentucky Derby contenders nearly ready

CHURCHILL DOWNS

WEATHER: SUNNY

TRACK: GOOD/FAST

TEMP.: 63

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After a wet weekend that impacted the workout schedule of several horses, the sun was shining bright on the Derby’s ol’ Kentucky home, Churchill Downs, on Monday as Derby Week commenced with three horses turning in their final drills for the 142nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Bob Baffert, one year removed from winning the Triple Crown with American Pharoah, put the finishing touches on his lone contender for this year’s Derby, Mor Spirit, just moments before trainer Steve Asmussen, seeking his first Derby win, sent out his pair of Creator and Gun Runner.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jockey Emisael Jaramillo has come a long ways in a short time. The all-time leading rider in Venezuela came to this country for the first time last fall, was among the leading riders at Gulfstream Park last winter, and now has picked up both his first Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks mounts.