LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday, outside barn 41 on the Churchill Downs backstretch, a gaggle of media swarmed around trainer Doug O’Neill to get the lowdown on Nyquist, the undefeated 2-year-old male champion who likely will be favored in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

A furlong or so away, outside barn 42, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin sat by himself in a folding chair, having just finished a cellphone conversation. Had things worked out differently in the Florida Derby four weeks ago, it likely would have been McLaughlin at the center of the media scrum.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dale Romans is back with a Kentucky Derby starter for the sixth time in seven years, which is pretty much the way he likes it.

“There’s nothing like leading one over for the Derby,” said Romans, a Louisville native and lifelong resident.

And with Brody’s Cause, the winner of the Blue Grass Stakes in his last start, Romans believes he has his best shot ever. Strictly in terms of odds, that could be true since the colt figures to be among the top five wagering choices in the 142nd Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

There are not many trainers who have their first Kentucky Derby starter from three decades ago stabled just a few steps from their main residence. But that’s the case for Donnie Von Hemel and Clever Trevor, a 30-year-old millionaire who lives on the trainer’s farm in Piedmont, Okla.

“He’s still living at home,” quipped Von Hemel.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The globetrotting Lani, who enters the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the Group 2 United Arab Emirates Derby, will become just the second Japanese-based horse to start in the run for the roses. The first was Ski Captain, who finished 14th in the 1995 edition behind Thunder Gulch. In the irons that day was Yutaka Take, who has been aboard Lani in five of his six starts and will ride him in the Derby.

There are many paths to the Kentucky Derby. For students of bloodstock, some conjure déjà vu – while others are sweetly ironic.

Nyquist followed in young stallion Uncle Mo’s hoofprints by becoming an unbeaten juvenile champion.

Meanwhile, Outwork diverged from his sire’s path to avenge one of the stallion’s biggest career disappointments.

The richest of the races on the list assembled by Churchill Downs that award Kentucky Derby qualifying points is run about 7,400 miles from the twin spires, and some would argue that the winner of the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby, despite being assured entry into the Kentucky Derby by earning 100 points, is not necessarily qualified.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Clear

Track:  Muddy

Temperature:  64

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -  For many years, Sunday seemed to be the work day of choice for the majority of Kentucky Derby contenders. Not so this year.

While the weather  had a hand in keeping activity to a minimum on Sunday morning, most of the 2016 Derby group had already been penciled in to have their final preps either Friday or Saturday, even before rain became an issue over the past several days.

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.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Weather: Cloudy/Showery 
Track: Fast
Temp. 58

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Exaggerator and Brody’s Cause beat the rain, albeit just barely, turning in their final Kentucky Derby works over a fast track just as a light shower began to fall during the special Derby/Oaks training session shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Going a little quicker than expected, Danzing Candy worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds at the San Luis Rey Downs training Center in Bonsall, Calif., on Saturday, the colt’s final major exercise before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.

Trainer Clifford Sise said he expected a workout time closer to 1:01, but Danzing Candy showed enthusiasm. Danzing Candy galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.60, Sise said.

“He’s as good as he can be,” Sise said. “He’s probably doing better than he’s ever done.”