Post position draw for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is on Wednesday; the big day is Saturday, May 5. Here are some well regarded contenders:

BODEMEISTER – 4s 2-2-0, $704,800
Won the Arkansas Derby G1 by 9 1/2 lengths on April 14
Has 3 triple-digit Beyer Speed figures
Unraced at two

Sire: Empire Maker
Broodmare sire: Storm Cat
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Rider: Mike Smith
Owner:Zayat Stables

Futures betting co-favorite with Union Rags
Derby challenge: Become first winner since Apollo, in 1882, not to have raced at two

UNION RAGS – 6 s 4-1-1, $1,198,800
3rd in Florida Derby G1 on March 31
Won the Fountain of Youth G2 by 4 lengths with little urging on Feb. 26
Won first 3 races at 2, then was runnerup by a head to Hansen in the Breeders Cup Juvenile

Sire: Dixie Union
Broodmare sire: Gone West
Trainer: Michael Matz
Rider: Julien Leparoux
Owner: Chadds Ford Stable (also breeder)

Derby Challenge: Prove that Florida Derby finish was result of a bad trip

GEMOLOGIST – 5s 5-0-0, $784,855
Won Wood Memorial G1 by 1 1/4 lengths on April 12
Undefeated in 5 career starts
Won Kentucky Jockey Club G2 by 1 3/4 lengths on Nov 11, at Churchill Downs

Sire: Tiznow
Broodmare sire: Mr. Prospector
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Rider: Javier Castellano
Owner: WinStar Farm

Derby Challenge: Not to wait on challengers, when he takes the lead.

HANSEN – 6s 4-2-0, $1,623,305
2nd to strong closer Dullahan in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 14
Won the Gotham Stakes G3 by 3 lengths on March 3
Won the Breeders Cup Juvenile G1 gate to wire by a head – his third win in 3 starts at 2

Sire: Tapit
Broodmare sire: Sir Cat
Trainer: Mike Maker
Rider: Ramon Dominquez
Owner: Kendall Hansen (breeder) and Sky Chai Racing

Derby Challenge: Prove that his front-running style can go the distance

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER – 5s 3-1-0, $634,000
Won Santa Anita Derby G1 by a nose on April 7, in a gritty bid
Won the Robert Lewis G2 by 2 3/4 lengths on Feb 12
A stalker who has improved with distance

Sire: Flower Alley
Broodmare sire: Arch
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Rider: Mario Gutierrez
Owner: Paul Reddam

Derby Challenge: Maintain stamina on the heels of his Santa Anita win

CREATIVE CAUSE – 8s 4-2-2, $869,000
2nd by a nose in Santa Anita Derby G1 on April 7
Won the San Felipe G2 by 3/4 length over Bodemeister on March 10
Third in Breeders Cup Juvenile G1 on Nov 5

Sire: Giant’s Causeway
Broodmare sire: Siberian Summer
Trainer: Mike Harrington
Rider: Joel Rosario
Owner: Heinz Steinmann

Derby Challenge: Hope for a clean trip

DULLAHAN – 8s 2-2-2, $872,091
Won Blue Grass G1 by 1 1/4 lengths on April 14, despite late break out of gate
Covered lots of ground to finish fourth after being bumped, in Breeders Cup Juvenile
Won Dixiana Breeders Futurity G1 by 3/4 length on Oct 11

Sire: Even The Score
Broodmare sire: Smart Strike
Trainer: Dale Romans
Rider: Kent Desormeaux
Owner: Donegal Racing

Derby Challenge: Stay sharp for break, when the gates open

TAKE CHARGE INDY – 6s 2-2-0, $721,000
Won the Florida Derby by one length on March 31
2nd in a non-winners allowance at Gulf Stream on Jan 29
Will be ridden by 3-time Derby winner Calvin Borel

Sire: A.P. Indy
Broodmare sire: Dehere
Trainer: Patrick Byrne
Rider: Calvin Borel
Owner: Chuck and Maribeth Sandford

Derby Challenge: Go to the rail