Forty Niner was last year's champion 2-year-old and would be the first to repeat at 3 since Spectacular Bid in 1978-79.

Since Spectacular Bid a decade ago, no 2-year-old champion has won the roses, and only four of the nine even made it to the starting gate.

A 2-year-old champion has not gone on to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

No favorite has won the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

The field, the smallest since Spectacular Bid outraced nine others in 1979, continued to fluctuate two days before entries were required.

No champion 2-year-old has gone on to win the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1978-79.

No champion 2-year-old or betting favorite has won the Derby since Spectacular Bid because none was good enough.

Alysheba's campaign as a 4-year-old has been the most impressive on a national scale since Spectacular Bid in 1980.

Can he become the first 2-year-old champion since Spectacular Bid in 1979 to win the Derby?

He was the first favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979.