Greg Melikovs Top 10 Derby Contenders

Heres an updated list of my Top 10 contenders for the Kentucky Derby from bottom to top Dave Letterman style:

Drosselmeyer: Fourth place finish less than 1 ? lengths back in the Risen Star wasnt half bad considering it was the son of Golden Ballets second outing on dirt after capturing an allowance contest race at Gulfstream Park. Next race: Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Jackson Bend: Runner-up in Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth bypassed Florida Derby to run in New York. Last win in a route for son of Hear No Evil came in 2009 as a top 2-year-old at Calder when he swept the Florida Stallion Stakes series. Next race: Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 3.

Dublin: The son of Afleet Alex, following epiglottis surgery last fall, hit the board in the Risen Star and Rebel stakes at Oaklawn Park, More distance may suit him. Next race: Wood Memorial.

Odysseus: Malibu Moon sibling scored his third straight triumph this year with a nose victory in the Tampa Bay Derby following an equally impressive 15-length score in alllowance company. Next race: Wood Memorial.

Ice Box and Pleasant Price: These longshots were noses apart in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and will train up to the Kentucky Derby on May 1.

Rule: Todd Pletcher trainee is a horse for all tracks, but the son of Roman Ruler had his four-in-a-row streak stopped in the Florida Derby finishing third after setting a very fast pace. Experts called it a tightener. Louisville awaits him.
Next race: Kentucky Derby.

Discreetly Mine: Another Pletcher runner that shows promise captured Risen Star on the front end when no foe wanted the lead. Son of Mineshaft has tactical speed, a big plus. Next race: Louisiana Derby.
Conveyance: One of trainer Bob Bafferts stars is unbeaten in four outings. His transition to dirt went off without a hitch as he took the Southwest Stakes. There is one question to be answered: Can the son of Indian Charlie get 1 ¬ miles at Louisville? Next race: Sunland Derby on Sunday.

Eskendereya: An impresive 8 «-length win in the Fountain of Youth had him the early favorite for the Florida Derby. But Pletcher crossed everyone up and decided six weeks was too long a wait to Run for the Roses. One thing is certain the son of Giants Causewasy will face a much tougher field in his final prep for Churchill Downs going after his fourth win in four outings on dirt. Next race: Wood Memorial.

Lookin At Lucky: Bafferts pride and joy made his debut on dirt a winning one in the Rebel despite another troubled trip. Last years top 3-year-old male, with blinkers added, overcame a troubled start and being checked along the backstretch to win by a neck at Oaklawn Park. It was de ja vue for the son of Smart Strike as the only blemish on his seven starts record was a close second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile in a horrible trip. Next race: Santa Anita Derby on April 3 or Arkansas Derby April 10.