BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – By his own admission, Rick Violette has a big mouth. But he does know when to keep it closed.

Case in point: Last July, while walking the streets of Delray Beach, Fla., with two daughters of a longtime employee, Violette and the women were held up at gunpoint. Violette knew this was no time to play hero.

“There’s no being brave,” Violette said. “Once the gun went to the young lady’s head, it was ‘Don’t screw this up.’ ”

Though money and documents were stolen, Violette and the two women came away from the episode unharmed.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The jockey Christophe Soumillon never has ridden in the Kentucky Derby. He will do so for the first time Saturday when he gets astride Mubtaahij. Do not expect Soumillon to be overwhelmed. Do not expect mistakes.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There finally was an El Kabeir sighting on the track Wednesday at Churchill Downs, but even that didn’t quell whispers that the gray colt might not be running in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Friday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – This year’s Kentucky Oaks field is as evenly matched as it gets, with several of the 14 prospective starters capable of winning the race at their best and with the right trip.

The following is a brief assessment of some of the contenders based on impressions from their workouts and gallops here over the past 10 days. The rundown is given in post-position order.

ESKENFORMONEY – Her recent works, both here and at Palm Beach Downs, were decent, nothing special, although she’s looked strong during her gallops coming out of her latest breeze.

While a majority of the runners in this year’s Kentucky Derby will indeed be returning to “My Old Kentucky Home” when they step onto the track for the post parade, a handful of colts serve as standard-bearers for state and regional breeding programs looking to add to their history or add international flavor to America’s most storied race.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The remarkable comeback of Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens continues on Saturday, when he rides in the Kentucky Derby for the 21st time, seeking his fourth win.

It will be the third straight appearance in the Derby for Stevens after a retirement that kept him out of the race from 2006-12, and it will be the first time he has ridden in the race since undergoing a full knee replacement last July.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Stories abound at the Kentucky Derby, rippling from the combatants themselves and their human connections in predictable arcs: the tear-jerker, the ugly duckling, the little guy on the big stage. This Derby colt Mubtaahij? He is a four-legged travelogue.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 51

Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The gang’s all here.

All 20 of this year’s prospective Kentucky Derby starters – 22 of them if you count the also-eligibles FRAMMENTO and TALE OF VERVE – are on the grounds, making for a very active Derby/Oaks training session following the renovation break at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Twenty-two horses were entered Wednesday morning for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with just one surprise, the entry of recent maiden winner Tale of Verve.

Otherwise, everything went as planned Wednesday morning, with the 21 other horses entered as expected.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Walk through the main stable gate at Santa Anita, and the first barn on the left quickly catches the eye.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is based there, the exterior walls of the barn adorned with the names of his Breeders’ Cup and Triple Crown race winners. Two runners from that stable – American Pharoah and Dortmund – are top contenders for Saturday’s $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The trainer next door has a horse in the race, too.