Editor’s Note: Countdown to the Crown returns for a seventh season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 6 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 and interactive features at Countdowntothecrown.com as well.

Arcadia, Calif. - Liaison, trainer Bob Baffert’s top Kentucky Derby hope, worked six furlongs in 1:11 at Santa Anita on Thursday, the fastest of 16 recorded works at the distance.

Working in company with stablemate Sir Allison, Liaison started about five lengths behind and trailed by as many as six lengths on the backstretch. Ridden by jockey Martin Garcia, Liaison reduced the margin quickly in early stretch and finished in front of Sir Allison.

Baffert timed Liaison galloping out seven furlongs in 1:23.40

NEW ORLEANS – The Grade 3, $175,000 Lecomte Stakes anchors Road to the Derby Kickoff Day on Saturday at Fair Grounds, but do not expect any of the 13 three-year-olds entered in the Lecomte to return the opening kick for a touchdown. The idea here is not to fumble. Next month brings the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes, and the $1 million Louisiana Derby is on April 1.

“It’s still just January,” said trainer Al Stall, who will send Seven Lively Sins out for his 3-year-old debut in the Lecomte, a one mile and 70-yard dirt race.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – School was in session Thursday morning for New York’s top Kentucky Derby prospect and for one day at least Alpha was a model student.

Alpha put himself on the Kentucky Derby trail by winning the $150,000 Count Fleet Stakes here Jan. 7. The 3-year-old son of 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini won, despite displaying some bad habits in the gate that included nibbling at the assistant starter, rearing up right before the doors opened, and bobbling when they did open.

List of contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs, ranked by graded stakes earnings. The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 horses; if more than 20 enter, the entries are determined by the amount of graded stakes earnings each horse has accumulated.

[MORE: Derby Watch Top 20 Contenders]

[MORE: Road to the 2012 Kentucky Derby]

1. Union Rags
Consistently fast and fits the classic Derby profile[bc_video_id:236241:]

2. Hansen
Undefeated; little between the top two at this point

Hansen is spending the winter at Gulfstream Park, where trainer Mike Maker has mapped out a schedule that allows Hansen to remain in Florida and get two or three preps before the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. − Only monks who have taken a vow of silence are quieter than Mike Maker. He sneaks up like a stealth bomber. You don’t know he’s coming, but after he’s left you know he’s been there.

Churchill Downs has scheduled its three Kentucky Derby Future Wager weekends for Feb. 10-12, March 2-4, and March 30-April 1. The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool will be held concurrently with the final Derby Future Wager weekend. All of the pools will offer win and exacta wagering.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Junebugred put himself on the 3-year-old fast track Monday at Oaklawn Park, when he won the $100,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park by a neck over Reckless Jerry. It was another length back in third to the multiple Grade 2 winning filly and favorite On Fire Baby.

The Smarty Jones was the first prep on Oaklawn's road to the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby, and Junebugred's connections said he will be pointed toward the series. The horse could run next in the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 20.