Can anybody win this year’s Run for the Roses?

Ralph Siraco

Friday, May 3, 2002 | 10:21 a.m.

When the dust settles from Saturday's Kentucky Derby, most of those who have participated in the Run for the Roses will look back and not be all that surprised at the outcome. They will backtrack and see clearly why the winner captured America's most famous horse race.

It will become clear after the race. While hindsight is 20/20, most of the competitors for this renewal will be seeing nothing but hind. Behinds, that is.

The slogans for this Kentucky Derby could be: "Time's Up," or "20 Isn't Enough," or even "Dartboard Derby."

"20 Isn't Enough" because after months of trying to whittle the field, Churchill Downs officials had to impose the 20-horse limit rule that had at least three contenders all dressed up with no place to go. Even the abundance of Derby prep races around the country did not reduce this year's Derby party to sitting room only.

The plot thickened at Wednesday's post position draw when trainer Bob Baffert entered Danthebluegrassman as a surprise starter that put Team Valor's Windward Passage back into the Avis pool. He rejoined US S Tinosa, Sunday Break and Straight Gin as those who did not "earn" their way into the body of the capacity field.

You could also call it "Dartboard Derby" because even the longest priced entrant cannot confidently be thrown out of any Derby betting scheme.

Post time for 128th Kentucky Derby is rapidly approaching and the waiting is over. The prep races have been run, the training has been completed and the entries are now cast. On Saturday in Louisville, they will travel 1 1/4 miles for a $1 million purse and a place in history.

He is the select twenty, in post position order and morning line odds with jockey assignments in parentheses, for the Grade I Kentucky Derby:

So, for what it's worth, my picks are: ESSENCE OF DUBAI, JOHANNESBURG and (long shot) EASY GRADES.