Updated: 05/02/2003

A field of 17 was entered for the 129th Kentucky Derby with Empire Maker, breaking from the 12 post, set as the solid favorite at 6-5. Ten Most Wanted in the 16 hole is the second favorite at 6-1 with Peace Rules (post 5) and Buddy Gil (post 8) tied at 8-1.

Bobby Frankel, trainer of favorite Empire Maker said, "I called Jerry (Bailey) and asked him what he'd like. We talked and figured that the posts between 6 and 11 would be taken by the time we got to go. So he said either 12 or 5, and he'd prefer 12. So I gave him 12 for his horse and took 5 for the other horse. Asked about the injury reported on Tuesday, "(Empire Maker) is doing fine. He'll be fine on Saturday." He also trains co-third choice at 8-1 Peace Rules out of post 5. "If they go (the speed horses) we'll pick our spot. If they don't go, we'll take the lead. You can do that with this horse."

Trainer Wally Dollase of 6-1 second choice Ten Most Wanted who picked post 14, said, "It's fine. The speed is inside us, so that's good. That's going to allow us to drop over and get a good spot mid-pack. And my horse gets a little anxious (at the gate), so the late load will be good for him. Pat (jockey Pat Day) is fine with it. We didn't get the best of chances to select, but it worked out fine."

Tom Amoss, trainer of 50-1 longshot Lone Star Sky, took a less scientific approach to his selection. "I picked the 10 because it is my youngest daughter's age and my oldest daughter's softball number. It was also the number of my all-time favorite horse, Secretariat, broke from. He wore the 1A, but he broke from 10."

Post time for the Derby is 6:05pm EDT Saturday and TV coverage will be all day long via a combination of ESPN, ESPN2, and NBC. Be sure to check the TV schedule so you don't miss anything. Past performances are available for free from DRF and Equibase. Free selections from Glenners are available now for the entire Derby card.

Below are the horses in post position order with trainer, jockey, and morning line odds. As usual, all horses carry 126 lbs. and they are all separate betting interests. Be sure to click the link on each horse's name to view full info, stats, and a photo where available. It is interesting to note that there are no dual qualifiers entered this year. Update: Sir Cherokee is now scratched due to an injury.

2003 NTRA Three Year Old Poll - 04/28/03

     HORSE                 A-S  STS-1-2-3  PTS  PVS  PROBABLE NEXT START    
 1.  Empire Maker (16)     3-C    3-2-1-0  168   1   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 2.  Peace Rules           3-C    2-2-0-0  126   2   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 3.  Buddy Gil             3-G    4-3-0-0  116   3   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 4.  Ten Most Wanted (1)   3-C    4-2-0-1  113   4   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 5.  Atswhatimtalknbout    3-C    5-2-1-1   61   7   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 6.  Funny Cide            3-G    3-0-2-0   56   5   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 7.  Kafwain               3-C    3-1-0-1   51   6   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 8.  Indian Express        3-C    2-0-1-0   45   9   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
 9.  Brancusi              3-C    3-1-1-1   37   8   5/3 Kentucky Derby    
10.  Scrimshaw             3-C    3-1-0-1   36   -   5/3 Kentucky Derby    

A-S: Age-Sex, Sex: C-colt, G-gelding, H-horse, F-filly, M-mare 

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