It’s finally time! After a long and winding road of prep races, the field for the 152^nd Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve has been drawn. Now it’s time for handicappers to have their fun, trying to select the winner from a field of the 20 best 3-year-olds in North America.

There is not a standout favorite in the field, and the morning-line favorite landed the dreaded rail post, making the race even more wide-open. The Kentucky Derby is traditionally the year’s most perplexing handicapping challenge, and this year is no exception.

1. Renegade (4-1 morning-line odds): Let’s say this: it is not impossible to win the Kentucky Derby from the rail. But everything has to go right. The horse has break quickly and swiftly assume a forward position before the bulk of the field crosses over on him as the first turn approaches. Otherwise, he’ll be shuffled to the rear of the pack. Renegade certainly has the talent to win, but will the Arkansas Derby winner get the right trip? That’s a tough one and a main reason why they call it gambling.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

2. Albus (30-1): Turned in a nice effort to win the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino in his first start after a maiden win. The time was on the slow side and, like Renegade, he will need a perfect start to avoid a traffic jam early.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Riley Mott

3. Intrepido (50-1): He was a Grade 1 winner at 2, but this year he has yet to show he wants to face this kind of company at a 1 ¼-mile distance. Was beaten 10 lengths when fourth in the Santa Anita Derby.

JOCKEY: Hector Berrios; TRAINER: Jeff Mullins

4. Litmus Test (50-1): Even with Bob Baffert training, this one appears to be a reach in this field. His lone stakes win was last year in the Los Alamitos Futurity and he was 12 ½ lengths behind Renegade in the Arkansas Derby. Maybe the addition of blinkers will help.

JOCKEY: Martin Garcia; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

5. Right to Party (30-1): Passed tired horses in the stretch to move up from seventh to second in the Wood Memorial. Can see that happening again here, but closing out the superfecta seems a more likely target than figuring in the exacta.

JOCKEY: Christopher Elliott; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

6. Commandment (6-1): Aside from finishing fourth at six furlongs in his career debut, he’s done nothing wrong. Four straight wins, capped by a score in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa over what was the best field for a prep race. There’s much to like and the 6-1 odds are very inviting for a 3-year-old who has never been higher than 5-2.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brad Cox

7. Danon Bourbon (20-1): Japan came within two noses of a Kentucky Derby win two years ago with the great Forever Young. This Japanese challenger may not be on that level, but he should be fit enough to handle the distance and merits a close look.

JOCKEY: Atsuya Nishimura; TRAINER: Manabu Ikezoe

8. So Happy (15-1): Took a strong step forward in winning the Santa Anita Derby. His only loss in four starts came when he battled for the early lead. Looks like someone who can sit off the early leaders and move into position on the final turn, a move which can be effective in the run for the roses. Would be a highly emotional win for trainer Mark Glatt, whose wife passed away in February.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Mark Glatt

9. The Puma (10-1): Very dangerous contender from the trainer who won the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage. Was third behind Renegade in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, then won the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby. Instead of awaiting the Kentucky Derby, he was wheeled back in the Florida Derby and ran courageously, leading in the stretch and before losing by a nose to Commandment. Definitely a major player at a nice price.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Gustavo Delgado

10. Wonder Dean (30-1): Japanese-bred starter could be the best of the foreign entrants. Won the UAE Derby Sponsored by Jumeirah over Six Speed and could be a threat if he duplicates that effort.

JOCKEY: Ryusei Sakai; TRAINER: Daisuke Takayanagi

11. Incredibolt (20-1): Second starter for trainer Riley Mott in his first attempt at Kentucky Derby glory. Easy winner of the Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County but will need to step up in terms of speed figures. Was well-beaten in the Holy Bull Stakes prior to the win at Colonial Downs.

JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: Riley Mott

12. Chief Wallabee (8-1): Will be making just his fourth career start, but is in good hands with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott (Riley’s dad) and jockey Junior Alvarado, who teamed to win last year’s classic with Sovereignty. Was third in the Florida Derby, but was only beaten a half-length. Gained a lot of seasoning by closing between horses in the stretch. With blinkers added, could be poised for a big effort.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Bill Mott

13. Silent Tactic (20-1): Was second to Renegade in the Arkansas Derby, though he was four lengths behind. Considering he’s 20-1 and Renegade is the morning-line favorite, if you like Renegade, you should include him in your exotics. Has never been worse than second in six starts.

JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Mark Casse

14. Potente (20-1): Definitely the better of the two Baffert entrants. Won the San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse and then finished second in the Santa Anita Derby. Should be part of the early pace scenario, but does he want to go a mile and a quarter?

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

15. Emerging Market (15-1): Enters with just two starts to his credit and no Derby winner has done that since 1883. That’s a tough stat to ignore, but he’s extremely talented as evidenced by winning the 1 3/16-mile Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby in his second start. He’s capable of running fast enough to win this race. It’s just a question if he has the experience to handle all of the chaos in a 20-horse field.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

16. Pavlovian (30-1): Trainer Doug O’Neill and owner Reddam Racing have already captured the Kentucky Derby twice. They face a tough task here, though this colt has taken some nice steps forward in winning the Sunland Park Derby and finishing second in the Louisiana Derby. Will be part of the early pace but may struggle in the stretch.

JOCKEY: Edwin Maldonado; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

17. Six Speed (50-1): Has plenty of speed, which he flashed when second in the UAE Derby at 1 3/16 miles. He also has class, which makes him a threat. But is he ready for this kind of competition at this distance?

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.;  TRAINER: Bhupat Seemar

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18. Further Ado (6-1): If he runs back to his 11-length romp in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, this will be cinch. But horses are not machines and a huge effort in a final Kentucky Derby prep can lead to a bounce on the first Saturday in May. (Anyone remember Bellamy Road?) Is certainly capable of winning but the low odds do breed skepticism off a career-best effort.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Brad Cox

19. Golden Tempo (30-1): Interesting outsider who usually fires his best shot. Rallied for third in the Louisiana Derby and with a good trip can make his presence felt. Would make Cherie DeVaux the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

20. Fulleffort (20-1): Can’t dismiss the Jeff Ruby Steaks winner after Rich Strike shifted from Turfway Park’s all-weather Tapeta surface back in 2022 and won from post 20 at 80.80-1 odds. Has only been on Tapeta and turf but is working nicely on Churchill Downs’ dirt track. Can lightning strike twice? We’ll see.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brad Cox

21. Great White (50-1, also-eligible): An also-eligible who lost by 22 ¼ lengths in his lone start on dirt in the Blue Grass. Hard to like here.

JOCKEY: Alex Archard; TRAINER: John Ennis

22. Ocelli (50-1, also-eligible): Lost second in the Wood Memorial in the final stride, costing him a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Previous stakes efforts were not impressive.

JOCKEY: Joseph Ramos; TRAINER: Whit Beckman

23. Robusta (50-1, also-eligible): An also-eligible who lost by 16 lengths in the Santa Anita Derby. We’ll pass.

JOCKEY: Emisael Jaramillo; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

24. Corona de Oro (50-1, AE): Will need four defections to run. Set the pace and tired to third in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes. Faces a big challenge from the outside post if he gets in.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart

THE PICK: Chief Wallabee

LIVE LONGSHOT: Silent Tactic

SUPERFECTA: 12-1-15-13