Lexington-based breeder Debby Oxley has carefully curated the family behind Risen Start Stakes (G2) winner Sierra Leone and will be looking toward the first Saturday in May with the Kentucky Derby hopeful.

Coined a "big league" horse by trainer Brad Cox after his sparkling five-furlong tune-up over the weekend, WinStar Farm's Timberlake journeys to Oaklawn Park with a lofty chance in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24.

Ramjet took the lead in the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" with victory in the Hyacinth Stakes.

Racing with blinkers for the first time and making his first start as a 3-year-old, Sierra Leone catches Track Phantom to win the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Racing with blinkers for the first time and making his first start as a 3-year-old, Sierra Leone catches Track Phantom to win the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Grade 1 winner Timberlake registered his fifth breeze Feb. 16 since resuming training for Brad Cox at Fair Grounds Race Course. Timberlake is scheduled to make his sophomore debut in Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24.

Locked, one of the early favorites for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, breezes a half-mile in :49.68 Feb. 16 at Palm Beach Downs, his first workout since Jan. 26 for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

America's Best Racing's Bob Ehalt handicaps the Risen Star Stakes.

Californians Eric "Rick" Waller and his wife, Sharon, have experienced thrilling moments since entering racing in the 1990s as owners and breeders, but they've also suffered deep losses, the kind that can't be measured by noses, heads, or lengths. 

Californians Eric "Rick" Waller and his wife, Sharon, have experienced thrilling moments since entering racing in the 1990s as owners and breeders, but they've also suffered deep losses, the kind that can't be measured by noses, heads, or lengths. 

The Road, sponsored by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm

Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful Liberal Arts, who most recently finished third in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, will be aimed at the Arkansas Derby (G1) for his next start, trainer Robert Medina told Oaklawn publicity.

Twice second in graded stakes behind a pair of Bob Baffert trainees in Southern California, Stronghold pursues opportunity in New Mexico Feb. 18 against seven 3-year-old rivals in the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby.

Just 11 weeks remain until the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) and fans will have the fourth of six opportunities Feb. 16-18 to wager on Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager that features a wide-open cast of 39 3-year-olds.

News editor Byron King reviews the Feb. 10 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) from Tampa Bay Downs and discusses the Feb. 17 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.