D. Wayne Lukas, announced Feb. 23 as a Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Kentucky Derby Museum, speaks with news editor Byron King about the honor and his support of the museum, where his memorabilia has been on display since 2017.

Officials with Churchill Downs Inc. confirmed Feb. 22 that the new paddock will be completed in time for this year's spring meet that will feature the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 4 at the company's flagship track in Louisville, Ky.

This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) are not quite as strong as they were a few weeks ago.

The Road, contenders on the Triple Crown trail

Trainer Ron Moquett is testing the unknown with Time for Truth in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park.

Sierra Leone improved to the second spot on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's top 3-year-old poll following an impressive come-from-behind win in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The Saudi Derby (G3) is a proving ground for some ambitious connections eyeing the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) for their developing colts.

The winners of Oaklawn Park's first and second 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) points races—Catching Freedom and Mystik Dan—will bypass the Feb. 24 Rebel Stakes (G2), but they could meet again in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers, and jockeys as they travel the Road to the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) May 4 at Churchill Downs.

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

Trainer Brad Cox could be represented by as many as four contenders in the March 2 $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack.

With the Kentucky Derby 11 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-year-olds" closed as the 5-1 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the Feb. 17 Risen Star (G2) winner Sierra Leone was the 6-1 second choice.

Twice a bridesmaid in stakes company Stronghold defeated his rivals in a commanding performance for his first black-type score in the Feb. 18 $400,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3).

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.