LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A majority interest in Lawyer Ron, one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby, has been sold to Stonewall Stallions of central Kentucky, but the colt will race in the name and silks of his breeder and owner, the estate of James T. Hines Jr., in the 132nd Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Brother Derek, the Santa Anita Derby winner, landed post 18 in a full field of 20 when post positions were selected Wednesday night for the on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Lawyer Ron, the Arkansas Derby winner, ended up in post 17. Barbaro, the unbeaten winner of the Florida Derby, got post 8. Bob and John, the Wood Memorial winner, landed post 7. Sweetnorthernsaint, the Illinois Derby winner, got post 11. The horses are double loaded for the race, meanings posts 1 and 11 go in first.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There is a nifty statue of Aristides, the first Kentucky Derby winner, out by the Churchill Downs paddock. No shrine to a maiden claimer is anywhere in sight.

When a maiden runs for a claiming price, he's not projected to get much better. A work in progress is given time to develop. A maiden claimer is for sale the moment he steps in the paddock. You want him? Here, take him.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The strenuous and anonymous work that Angel Cordero Jr. puts himself through on a daily basis belies his age - and his legacy. As the 132nd Kentucky Derby has approached, Cordero, 63, occasionally has been back in the racing spotlight while working as an exercise rider for his close friend, trainer Todd Pletcher.

Another good-looking longshot work

SUNNY/TEMP 58¦/TRACK FAST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Wednesday was the busiest morning yet here for Kentucky Derby hopefuls following the arrival the previous afternoon of Bob and John, Point Determined, and A. P. Warrior. Each of them went to the racetrack for the first time following the renovation break. All 19 Derby starters stabled on the grounds at Churchill Downs trained, with Deputy Glitters turning in the final workout of Derby Week shortly after daybreak.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ron Bamberger, executor of the estate for the breeder and owner James T. Hines Jr., said Tuesday that serious negotiations were ongoing for the sale of Lawyer Ron, one of the favorites for the 132nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The deal had not been finalized as of late Tuesday afternoon, said Bamberger, who declined to identify the potential buyer.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When trainer John Shirreffs won the Kentucky Derby last year with Giacomo, he brought the colt from California to Churchill Downs only days before the race. The weather at home, Shirreffs said, was ideal, so he kept to the same schedule this year with A. P. Warrior.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - This is the third time Michael Matz has been at Churchill Downs for the week of a Kentucky Derby, but the first time he has had a horse in the race. As he stood at a podium for a press conference one recent morning, Matz surveyed the scene and said, "I'm lucky to be here."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three years ago, Ten Most Wanted won the Illinois Derby by four lengths, earned a gaudy 110 Beyer Speed Figure, came to Churchill Downs early, and gained so much support that he went off the third betting choice in the field at 6-1. He finished ninth.

This year, Sweetnorthernsaint won the Illinois Derby by 9 1/4 lengths, earned a gaudy Beyer Speed Figure of 109, came to Churchill Downs early, and is gaining so much support that he figures to go off a top-four betting choice. His trainer, Michael Trombetta, is unfazed by it all.

Sunriver shines on a wet morning

RAINING/TEMP 58¦/TRACK SLOPPY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Flashes of lightning illuminated the twin spires when Churchill Downs opened at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, with the accompanying downpour turning the racetrack into a sloppy quagmire well before midmorning, when the skies finally cleared. As a result, training was either limited or nonexistent for the 17 Kentucky Derby hopefuls stabled on the grounds, many of whom were given what figures to be their final day off before Saturday's big event.