Blame it on Paddy O’Prado.

Three-year-olds lacking any semblance of dirt form can still run in the Kentucky Derby, provided they amass the sufficient amount of graded stakes earnings to make the 20-horse cutoff. Last year, Donegal Racing and trainer Dale Romans used a combination of grass and Polytrack to get Paddy O’Prado into the Derby field, and the colt responded with a huge effort, finishing third while barely missing second.

Jaycito, the second-place finisher in the San Felipe Stakes in his 3-year-old debut, will “probably” make his next start in the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9, trainer Bob Baffert said Monday.

The entrants came out of the woodwork Sunday when the field was drawn and post positions assigned for the $1 million Louisiana Derby. A field of 13 – most wholly unproven in open stakes competition – was entered in the Grade 2, 1 1/8-mile race, the centerpiece of what ought to be a blockbuster, multi-graded-stakes racing program Saturday in New Orleans.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The Factor put himself on the road to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, when he answered the two-turn question with authority in the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/16-mile was his first start beyond seven furlongs, and he settled beautifully before winning off by 6 1/4 lengths.

"He could have gone a mile and an eighth today," said Bob Baffert, who trains The Factor.

The Factor dominated from the start Saturday when winning by daylight in the 51st running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

With Martin Garcia riding for trainer Bob Baffert, The Factor returned $4.80 as the favorite after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.19 over a fast track.

Rogue Romance has been withdrawn from consideration for the 137th Kentucky Derby after being diagnosed with a small fracture in the inside quarter of his left front foot, trainer Ken McPeek said Saturday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Elite Alex will be scratched from Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn and will run next in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 26, his trainer, Tim Ritchey, said on Saturday morning.

Glint, a stakes winner who on Friday morning was scratched from the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel at Oaklawn, is being considered for a start in one of several races, including the Sunland Derby, said his trainer, Kellyn Gorder. He added that the other options for the horse include the Spiral or Rushaway at Turfway.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail