LEXINGTON, Ky. - The field for the 2008 Kentucky Derby is an eclectic bunch that represents all walks of equine life, from the inexpensive homebred to the pricey private purchase. At the time these runners were conceived, in 2004, their sires' fees ranged from $2,500 to $300,000. But there are common threads. For example, the overwhelming majority of the hopefuls, 15, were bred in Kentucky, and three Bluegrass farms stand more than one stallion with a Derby runner this year.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The last time an ownership group from New York won the Kentucky Derby, the owners arrived at Churchill Downs in a yellow school bus and their horse was a New York-bred gelding who cost $75,000.

On Saturday, an ownership group from New York will attempt to win the Derby with two horses they bought into for an estimated $8 million. Among the modes of transportation the group will use to get to Churchill Downs are two 15-seat Hummer stretch limousines.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The shoes. It's gotta be the shoes.

Or, at least to some degree, it's the glued-on poly-flex horseshoes worn by Big Brown and Pyro that have helped to make them two of the most well-regarded contenders in the 134th Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Pat Reynolds admits that he'll have mixed emotions watching Big Brown run in Saturday's 134th Kentucky Derby.

Reynolds, 57, was the original trainer of Big Brown and saddled him to an 11 1/4-length debut victory in a maiden turf race at Saratoga last Sept. 3. A few weeks later, owner Paul Pompa Jr. sold a 75 percent interest in Big Brown to the International Equine Acquisitions Holding Stable for approximately $3 million. Part of the condition of the sale was that the horse be transferred to trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., whom IEAH employs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The legends who roamed the Churchill Downs jockeys' room on Kentucky Derby Day are mostly gone, either deceased or retired.

Their replacements are doing their best, but it's quite a task to keep up with the ghosts of Eddie Arcaro, Bill Shoemaker, and Bill Hartack.

NEW YORK - Given that I failed to select a Kentucky Derby winner between Strike the Gold in 1991 and Street Sense in 2007, perhaps you should check back in 2023 when I am due to be right again, especially since I am picking a favorite with several strikes against him.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For as long as he can remember, trainer Paulo Lobo was fascinated by racing in America. Though he grew up in Brazil, the son of a successful trainer, Lobo had always desired to leave his homeland and come here. He would have to start over, with few horses, and both he and his wife would have to learn a language they had spoken only sporadically at home. There was one race that kept calling him, and he wanted, one day, to be part of it.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Big Brown had to overcome the far outside post 12 when he won the Florida Derby five weeks ago at Gulfstream Park. On Saturday at Churchill Downs, when he tries to become the first horse in 93 years to win the Kentucky Derby off just three starts, Big Brown will be farther out, as far as can be, in post 20, the position co-owner Michael Iavarone and trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. surprisingly selected when post positions were set on Wednesday night for the 20 runners entered in the 134th Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Post positions will be selected Wednesday night for Saturday's 134th Kentucky Derby. On Wednesday morning, a random draw was held to determine the draft order. Here are the results:

1. Visionaire

2. Big Truck

3. Colonel John

4. Z Fortune

5. Pyro

6. Eight Belles

7. Anak Nakal

8. Court Vision

9. Z Humor

10. Monba

11. Smooth Air

12. Adriano

13. Bob Black Jack

14. Denis of Cork

15. Cowboy Cal

16. Big Brown

17. Tale of Ekati

18. Cool Coal Man

When Nora and Al Figliolia arrive at Churchill Downs on Friday for the Kentucky Oaks, they will be enjoying their first-ever full afternoon at the races. And they will be doing it in style. The couple breed Thoroughbreds at their Westbury Stables near Ocala, Fla., and in just six years in the business, they have turned up with Oaks contender Awesome Chic as well as Kentucky Derby starter Denis of Cork.