The following is the order of finish for Derby 126. The list will be complemented with more Derby 126 coverage later in the week. Because the editors of Call to the Derby Post were at Derby 126, we were not be able to publish through the weekend.
HORSE	TRAINER
12 - Fusaichi Pegasus	Neil Drysdale
5 - Aptitude	Robby Frankel
1c - Impeachment	Todd Pletcher
9 - More Than Ready	Todd Pletcher
14f - Wheelaway	John C. Kimmel
2 - China Visit	Saeed bin Suroor
2b - Curule	Saeed bin Suroor
7 - Captain Steve	Bob Baffert
8 - War Chant	Neil Drysdale
15f - Deputy Warlock	Todd Pletcher
1 - Trippi	Todd Pletcher
13 - Exchange Rate	D. Wayne Lukas
4 - Anees	Alex Hassinger
10 - The Deputy	Jenine Sahadi
1x - High Yield	D. Wayne Lukas
5 - Hal's Hope	Harold Rose
1a - Commendable	D. Wayne Lukas
16f - Ronton	Vladimir Cerin
11 - Graeme Hall	Todd Pletcher

Fusaichi Pegasus

OK. So the Derby favorite hasn't actually won the race in over 20 years. Horses like Easy Goer, Holy Bull, Demons Begone and Arazi have all captured the public's attention only to faulter on the first Saturday of May. That said, it is impossible to make any other horse the favorite for the Derby. He has finished no worse than second in any of his five career starts, and made a strong field in the Wood Memorial look like a bunch of chumps. He pulled away down the stretch, giving a hint of possibility that he might be able to go the distance on Derby Day. Say what you will about a horse being the Derby favorite; heading into Derby 126, Fusaichi Pegasus is by far and away the most impressive colt on the scene.

Aptitude

Showed a move down the backstretch in the Wood Memorial that gets Derby handicappers excited. He closed a lot of ground in a hurry, and his connections seem to feel that he will improve with the extra distance in the Derby. He's gaining experience with every race, and looks like he still has room to improve. Watch out for horses who haven't shown you their best yet. 3-year olds are young, and they can even improve in the few weeks between now and the Derby. You're probably going to get a good price on this one, so keep your eyes open.  

Impeachment

The field in the Arkansas Derby was suspect, but even still this horse proved he could close. If somehow he could be kept in check during the Derby, then maybe he would have an outside shot to pull a fast one. There are not that many horses out there making their names as closers, and Impeachment has now shown the ability to do this a few times this Derby prep race season. A long shot in the Derby to be sure, but if the favorite ever won in the Derby we wouldn't have to keep our eyes on longshots.  

More Than Ready

Has played the bridesmaid role twice this season, finishing second in the Blue Grass and in the Louisiana Derby. This horse is as quality as the ones he has lost to, and maybe a little extra distance could help him get over the hump. The strongest member of what could be a 4-horse contingent by trainer Todd Pletcher. Has shown he can run with the big boys, now he just needs the race of his life to become a Derby champion.  

Wheelaway

Has raced well during the Derby prep season, and has really come on strong. Potentially a horse that could spoil your trifecta bets, but a weak session on the Churchill Downs track last weekend may keep him from the race. Hard to have confidence in him if even his connections can put on a happy face. Being unraced as a two-year old is a mark against him; the price he will deliver is a mark in his favor.   

China Visit

With Chief Seattle out of the race due to fever, China Visit becomes the lead entry from the Godolphin Stable. He might have been their best shot anyway, because many feel this is their strongest horse. Worldly Manner proved the Godolphins' worth with a game seventh in last year's Derby, but as usual, the training schedule and competition raise more questions than can be answered. It seems Saeed bin Suroor will one day get a Derby win--the only question is when. A true wildcard.   

Curule

This horse has zero chance of winning the Kentucky Derby, and is only running because Godolphin Stable can afford it. China Visit and Curule can be ignored this year, but Godolphin Stable has shipped nearly 30 2-year olds to America to start training for next year. Derby 127 next year will be a very interesting year regarding these connections.  

Captain Steve

Since he has at least come in the money in some big prep races, and since he hasn't run his best race yet, and since he's trained by Bob Baffert and since he likes the Churchill Downs track, Captain Steve deserves some respect. Baffert will probably enjoy not having the spotlight on him this year, with Fusaichi Pegasus and The Deputy sure to gobble up some attention. But if you're looking for a horse who has the talent to win the Derby and is still waiting to reach his potential, you've got one right here. You can't spare at least $2 for a Baffert horse? Trust me, the bettors at Churchill will be too smart to completely overlook this one.  

War Chant

How will he bounce back after a tough loss in the Santa Anita? Will the pressure continue to grow on him, or will the extra eighth of a mile help him out? Questions remain about his mount, though keep in mind the last three Derby winners have run in the Santa Anita. With room to improve, and the addition of blinkers, War Chant remains a very strong contender.

Deputy Warlock

A horse we don't expect much from and won't be putting money on, but that fact makes us nervous. Is training very well and his Derby prep season suggests he is ready to improve and have his best race. Can come off the pace and explode, as he has been in the hunt in both the Blue Grass and Spiral. You've got to draw the line somewhere, but we do so against this colt with a bit of apprehension.  

Trippi

An impressive speed horse who is our favorite to reach the finish line before all the other horses...the first time around. He'll be breating pretty hard by the time the Derby is over, and he is not meant for the Derby distance. Would rather put money on another mint julep than on a bet on this colt.  

Exchange Rate

Still a question mark for the Derby, as trainer Lukas is still having doubts. If D. Wayne Lukas is unsure whether to run a horse in the Derby, that should tell you something. But we hope he runs. Lukas is famous for duping the Derby public with his lower tier horses, as he did last year with Charismatic and Cat Thief and in '95 with Thunder Gulch and Timber Country. His performance in the Wood was supremely uninspiring, but he still belongs to D. Wayne.   

Anees

Derby 126 is shaping up as a race with those with traditional training schedules, and those with more unique training regimens. Anees looked rusty in the San Felipe and he failed to fire in the Santa Anita. He could be working up to form, however, as he has left room for improvement. Won't be surprised to see this one come on strong during the Triple Crown races.  

The Deputy

We said we needed another peek at this horse in the Santa Anita in order to keep this horse in the Top Ten, and needless to say, he did not disappoint. Looked very, very strong against top competition, and is one of the stars coming out of the West Coast. Questionable breeding and pedigree is the only mark against him, but that does count for a lot. Dismiss the woman trainer angle; we're in the 21st century now (or close enough) so that shouldn't be an issue. Like High Yield, he seems to do whatever is asked of him every time out. A fierce competitor who is the only Derby contender who has proven he can run with Fusaichi Pegasus.

High Yield

So you've got a horse who is trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Pat Day who won the Blue Grass Stakes and finished second in the Florida Derby? Don't put money down on this colt at the Derby at your own risk. We always put money down on Pat Day at the Derby anyway, but he is sitting on top of a fine horse this year. The only thing we don't like about him is his apparent inability to come off the pace or to pass horses in the stretch. Any Derby winner will have to make up ground and pull away during the homestretch; not sure if High Yield is up for this. Still, as talented a challenger to Fusaichi Pegasus as there is out there. He really has yet to run a bad race this season. Let's hope he can keep that up through the Derby.  

Hal's Hope

Was the Cinderalla story of the Derby season until he crashed and burned in the Blue Grass Stakes. Still, a speed horse like this one probably wouldn't fare well in the Derby anyway. Look for him to improve off his uncharacteristic showing in the Blue Grass, but not enough to be a factor.  

Commendable

A very charismatic horse, if you know what we mean. You've got Mr. Lukas, then you've got the Lewises, then you've the darkhorse in the Lukas stable factor--these horses make us nervous. But he'll be coupled with High Yield, Trippi and Impeachment. Just consider him a throw in with those--because then you'll have three horses with a very legit chance to come in the money (Trippi is the one being excluded here.) The coupled entry wreaks havoc on your exotic logic.  

Ronton

If I actually had to pay extra for the amount of space I used on this Web page, I'd be upset Io have to occupy a bit of cyberspace to give this horse some attention on this tipsheet. This horse belongs here on Derby Day, just in the third race instead of the main attraction.

Graeme Hall

Had an excellent run in the Arkansas Derby, but who cares? Not likely to carry that success into a stampede like the Derby, especially against this competition. Is this really the horse you want to put your money on? Shane Sellers is aboard only due to Mighty's absence.