STRENGTHS: His sire typically gets strong, gritty, and durable horses who are competitive at distances of six furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. His broodmare sire became racing's only undefeated Triple Crown winner. Aside from that, Offlee Wild has shown he can carry his speed around two turns and has the kind of near-the-pace running style that should get him a spot up near the front and out of traffic problems. He also proved he can handle the Churchill track: He earned his diploma over it last fall and followed it up with a second-place finish.

STRENGTHS: He is certainly one of the more experienced horses in the field, and he has steady Beyer Speed Figures. Like the rest of these, he has never tried this distance, but his closing style should suit him well here, and he would be one of the horses to benefit most from a quick, contested pace. He regressed some in the Illinois Derby but may be set to run back to his prior race, when he earned a Beyer Figure of 98 with a late run in the Louisiana Derby.

STRENGTHS: Utah-bred was a bargain-priced ($4,500) yearling purchase, and he has outrun everyone's expectations in just four career starts. Smoked the opposition down in Panama in his first two outings as a 2-year-old, proving himself worthy of a chance at better. Indian Express hasn't disappointed since joining the Derby-winning Baffert barn, with respectable performances in both of his starts this year. Moved forward with a very game effort in the Santa Anita Derby in his first try at a route to earn his ticket to Louisville.

STRENGTHS: The heart and soul of good handicapping is finding a horse who ran a superior race in defeat. Funny Cide's performance in the Holy Bull is a good example. Burdened with post 13, he unleashed a great run around the clubhouse turn (after hitting the gate at the start). He tried to get close to the pacesetters and began to fade from view. If Funny Cide lost the race by a large margin, it could have been forgiven, but he showed great strength in holding on bravely for fifth, losing by less than seven lengths.

STRENGTHS: Ran well despite encountering trouble several times in his first distance try in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, and figures to only improve from there. Often horses who run evenly in that first route try haven't set forth their best effort, but they do in subsequent tries. There doesn't seem to be an overabundance of speed in this year's Derby, and Eye of the Tiger can certainly be on or near the lead, giving him a bit of a tactical edge on many of his rivals.

STRENGTHS: Where to begin? Empire Maker's pedigree sparkles like a freshly cut diamond. His sire, Derby winner Unbridled, gave us 1996 Derby winner Grindstone. His dam, the temperamental but talented Toussaud, has produced such standouts as Chester House, Honest Lady, Chiselling, and Decarchy. This top-class, high-stamina bloodline should serve Empire Maker well as he navigates the demanding Derby distance.

STRENGTHS: The Santa Catalina victory in January catapulted him into the Derby picture and he's had legitimate excuses since. He was wide, then checked late in the San Felipe when sandwiched in the lane. Was too close to the pace in the Santa Anita Derby, and wide on a rail-favoring Keeneland strip in the Lexington, missing the place by a neck despite the tough journey. Has the pedigree to stay the trip.

STRENGTHS: Triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in his last three races stamp Buddy Gil as the leading California contender. A stalker, he will get the jump on the deep closers and there are plenty of them. His stakes experience as a 2-year-old is a plus. He's gutty, too, something you can't put a number on. Rider Gary Stevens has won this race three times.

STRENGTHS: He's improving by leaps and bounds. He will offer value, which is the single most important element. His San Felipe third-place finish was impressive, especially since it came in his first try against winners. It is very difficult to go from maidens to Grade 2 company and run a career best. He could have bounced next out in the Blue Grass, but he did the opposite and ran a solid second. He has foundation races as a 2-year-old, a staple of most Derby winners. His tactical speed and the ability to get the Derby distance add to his appeal.

STRENGTHS: The Kentucky Derby buzz began when this son of 1992 Belmont and BC Classic winner A.P. Indy swept past 10 rivals in an eye-catching debut. Despite winning just one of his next four, Atswhatimtalknbout has kept hope alive with his late-closing style, long-winded pedigree, and impressive appearance. His wide near-miss in the San Felipe earned him favoritism in the Santa Anita Derby, in which he finished fourth. Those forgiving that loss could be rewarded by a much improved effort over a Churchill Downs strip that can play kinder to stretch-runners than Santa Anita.