That new scheduling allowed the Pocahontas to become a major prep for the more prestigious Golden Rod Stakes.

He was second in two major preps and won two classics.

And, in the final major prep for the Derby, he gave another commanding performance in the Blue Grass.

The race is the major prep for 3-year-old fillies aiming for the $250,000 Alabama at a mile and a quarter on Aug. 16.

The Wood was the centerpiece of three major preps yesterday for the Kentucky Derby.

They seem to be leaning against running him in the next major prep, the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 27.

Thirty Slews was third in the mile-and-a-sixteenth race, one of the last major preps for the Kentucky Derby on May 5.

The Spinaway is a major prep to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Masterful Advocate and Bet Twice were everyone's choices a month ago, then suffered separate thrashings as heavy favorites in major preps.

Three weeks from the starting gate, with most of the major preps completed, here are the leading candidates.