WASHINGTON - Who is the best horse in this year's Kentucky Derby?

Handicappers across America are pondering that question, but it is probably irrelevant. The important question involving the Derby is this: Which horse will be able to finish strongly in the stretch run of the 1 1/4-mile race?

When Roy and Gretchen Jackson decided to increase their commitment to Thoroughbred racing in the late 1990's, they hoped to be able to participate in the sport's bigger events. They certainly didn't expect this.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - They are kindred spirits, jockey Alex Solis and trainer Dan Hendricks, possessed of quick wit, thoroughly dedicated to their crafts, friends for more than 20 years, and now united in a quest to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday with the probable favorite, Brother Derek.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kentucky Derby is a test of which horse can run 1 1/4 miles, yet it's the first quarter-mile that begins etching the shape of the race. The American Thoroughbred has been genetically honed to a blur, and all that pure speed can turn the Derby pace furious. Or not. There are years when the fast pace fails to appear, such as 2002, when War Emblem was a gate-to-wire winner after an opening half-mile in a room-temperature 47 seconds.

This does not look like a War Emblem year.

SUNNY/TEMP 59¦/TRACK FAST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Thursday provided one last opportunity to see the Derby contenders before making out the final clocker's report with the focus of attention on Sweetnorthernsaint and Point Determined, both of whom did not have the smoothest of gallops the previous morning.

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.