HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Overanalyze gave his trainer, Todd Pletcher, a third major contender for next month’s Kentucky Derby after he cruised to a 4 1/4-length win in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday. Pletcher also trains Verrazano, the undefeated winner of the Wood Memorial, and Revolutionary, the winner of the Louisiana Derby.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Java’s War overcame an awful start before gathering himself and streaking down the stretch for a dramatic neck victory Saturday in the 89th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

As WinStar Farm selects a jockey for its Kentucky Derby contender Revolutionary, the outfit has taken the novel approach of asking fans to share their opinions. The Versailles, Ky., racing and breeding operation is allowing members of its StableMates online club to vote for their favorite jockey candidate in a poll on WinStar’s website.

Code West, sixth in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 30, is a candidate for the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 20, trainer Bob Baffert said Friday.

“It’s a possibility,” Baffert said.

Code West worked three furlongs Friday morning at Santa Anita, Baffert said, but the time was not on the workout sheet. Baffert said Code West galloped out a half-mile in 49 seconds.

Eddie Arcaro had a problem. On April 9, 1942, in the Phoenix Handicap at Keeneland, he rode the 3-year-old Devil Diver and beat the reigning Horse of the Year Whirlaway going six furlongs in the mud. Two weeks later, also at Keeneland, Devil Diver was scratched out of the Blue Grass Stakes with a minor leg cut, which meant Arcaro switched over to stablemate Shut Out and won the race anyway, with relative ease.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In two of the last three years, trainer Todd Pletcher sent a horse from the Wood Memorial to Churchill Downs hoping against hope that the horse would make the Kentucky Derby.

A week before the 2010 Derby, Pletcher had to withdraw Eskendereya from the Derby with a leg injury that ultimately led to his retirement. In 2011, Uncle Mo, third in that year’s Wood, was scratched with what was eventually diagnosed as a liver disorder.

A number of homebreds will have a chance to punch a ticket to the Kentucky Derby for their owner-breeders on Saturday afternoon, at the final two major Grade 1 preps for the classic will be contested at Keeneland Race Course and Oaklawn Park.

Of the 14 horses in the main body of the field for the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, five will run for their breeders solely or in partnership. Two entrants in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park are homebreds.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Rafael Bejarano had a perfect racing day at Santa Anita on Thursday, winning with all four of his mounts.

That success is reflective of Bejarano’s standing among jockeys at the winter-spring meeting, which he has dominated from the start. Bejarano had four wins on opening day, Dec. 26, and had a commanding lead of 26 victories through Thursday.

The eighth season of Countdown to the Crown returns as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 4 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class from the maiden ranks through the Grade 1 stakes. You can access daily updates, opinions and interactive features at Countdowntothecrown.com as well.

Straight from the gate

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland racing officials are expecting yet another big field for one of their spring marquee races, the Coolmore Lexington Stakes, a Polytrack race that will help close the prep season for the May 4 Kentucky Derby by offering last-gasp “wild card” points toward eligibility.

Pure Fun, a Grade 1-winning filly seeking a spot in the Kentucky Oaks, is foremost among the possible starters for the Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington, a 1 1/16-mile race set for next Saturday, April 20.