Let’s face it, there are only a few ways a Kentucky Derby field can be described in the days leading up to the race. It is either –

◗ A one-horse show with a definitive favorite who needs only to escape the traps of the anticipated stampede to take his place in history, or …

◗ A mystifying collection of 3-year-olds with thin résumés coming together for a one-shot chance at a glory they soon will squander, or …

◗ A stimulating puzzle with an intriguing top tier of half a dozen or so contenders who have proven their chops by all common metrics.

Two of the greatest victories in the Hall of Fame career of Steve Asmussen have come in the Kentucky Oaks, with Summerly (2005) and Untapable (2014). Asmussen believes he merits a good chance at a third Oaks triumph Friday when he sends out Lady Apple off three straight victories at Oaklawn Park, the latest in the Grade 3 Fantasy.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Flavien Prat piloted both Omaha Beach and Gray Magician to their maiden victories. Prat will now get experience with a third horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby, as he picks up the mount on Country House for what will be his third Derby ride.

Country House, who is trained by Bill Mott, finished second in the Risen Star and fourth in the Louisiana Derby with Luis Saez up, then was third in the Arkansas Derby under Joel Rosario.

LOUISVILLE, K.y. – A victory in the Kentucky Derby would be an early birthday present for a few of this year’s starters.

LOUISVILLE, K.y. – Mark Casse had always intended to step up the intensity of War of Will’s training between the Louisiana Derby, his final prep on March 23, and the Kentucky Derby 42 days later. But after what transpired in the Louisiana Derby, War of Will’s subsequent training took on even greater importance.

The Lecomte and Risen Star winner, War of Will lost his action shortly after the start of the race and never got involved, finishing ninth. Casse theorized that the colt caught his patella at the start.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – But for a desperate lunge and the bob of a nose, Mike Trombetta wouldn’t even be here at Churchill Downs this week.

“I’d be back home in Maryland getting this horse ready for the Preakness,” said the 52-year-old trainer of Kentucky Derby starter Win Win Win.

Lani was a bit of a circus sideshow, Epicharis a pre-race casualty. Those are the last two Japan-based horses to travel to America for a Triple Crown race. The latest voyager, Master Fencer, has so far kept a lower profile.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Just a few minor touches were being made on Monday as the Kentucky Derby neared, with a field that looked as though it would be more than the maximum of 20, a development that would keep out several horses who want in.

Final works were recorded by Long Range Toddy here at Churchill Downs, and by Bodexpress and Maximum Security in Florida. Barring anything unforeseen, Bodexpress was going to wind up on the also-eligible list when entries were taken and posts drawn Tuesday.

The Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, which ran concurrently with the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool from Nov. 22- 25, may have provided an opportunity for pedigree-savvy handicappers to cash in.

Omaha Beach is the expected Derby favorite off victories in the Arkansas Derby and a division of the Rebel Stakes. Both he and multiple graded stakes winner War of Will are certain to go off at odds lower than that of their sire War Front, who closed at 41-1 in the future wager.

Master Fencer will become the first Japanese-bred to start in the Kentucky Derby. But the colt, who is looking to become the first non-North American-bred to win the classic since British-born Tomy Lee in 1959, is not without Kentucky connections.