The next two weekends will see the Kentucky Derby come into focus, as the last prep races further define the Derby field.

This Saturday, a pair of the nation’s top 3-year-olds go to post in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby. Colonel John is the 2 to 1 morning line favorite, while El Gato Malo, who finished second to Colonel John in the G3 Sham Stakes, has been installed at 5 to 2.

Another valid contender in the Santa Anita is Yankee Bravo, who has won on both dirt and synthetic surfaces, and finished third to number one Kentucky Derby contender Pyro in the G2 Louisiana Derby.

Denis of Cork, whose first major win came in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, is the 2 to 1 morning line favorite in the $500,000 Illinois Derby at Oaklawn, also on Saturday, April 5. In 2002, War Emblem followed his win in the Illinois Derby with victories in the both Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Pyro (pictured), with victories in the G3 Risen Star Stakes and the G2 Louisiana Derby in two starts this year, moves to polytrack on Saturday, April 12, as a favorite in the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, where he will meet G2 Fountain of Youth winner and track record setter Cool Coal Man.

Kentucky Derby winners from Street Sense, in 2007, to Northern Dancer, in 1964, have scored victories in the Blue Grass Stakes, their last stop before the Run for the Roses.

All eyes will be on the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 12, when 2007 champion 2-year-old War Pass has a chance to redeem himself, after a shocking, unexplained loss – last by 23 ¼ lengths – as the 1 to 20 favorite in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby.

Secretariat placed third in the 1973 Wood Memorial before heading to the Churchill Downs and the beginning of his brilliant Triple Crown trail.

Also on April 12, Gayego, second to Georgie Boy in the San Felipe Stakes, and Z Fortune, winner of the G3 LeComte Stakes, are likely contenders in the G2 Arkansas Derby. 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, who won the $6 million Dubai Cup last weekend, is a former Arkansas Derby winner, as was 2004 Kentucky Derby victor Smarty Jones. Curlin and Z Fortune are stablemates with leading trainer Steve Asmussen.