Horse Racing -- Kentucky Derby preview

It's the first Saturday in May and horse racing fans around the world are getting ready for the 128th Run for the Roses -- the Kentucky Derby.

There's nothing like it in sports. The pagentry, the beautiful landscaping of the Churchill Downs' track, the moving song -- "My Old Kentucky Home" -- that is played before the race, the rainbow of colors worn by the horses and jockeys, the thousands of people lining the track and the infield, and, of course, the beautiful horses themselves, all combine to make it one of sports' great days.

The Derby brings memories of some of the great horses in the history of thoroughbred racing -- Secretariat, Riva Ridge, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Citation, Spectacular Bid, to name just a few.

This year, there are no "big names" or standouts getting ready to run at Churchill Downs -- it is a wide open field, just waiting for one horse to step up and win.

If any one horse is considered the favorite, it is Harlan's Holiday. He's won his last two outings -- the Blue Grass Stakes and the Florida Derby -- but, still hasn't really stood out from the rest of the field.

One horse that looked to be improving and ready to possibly win the Derby was Buddha. However, a foot injury early in the week forced him to be scratched.

Three horses from overseas can't be overlooked this year either. Johannesburg and Essence of Dubai are the top two of the international contingent, and Castle Gandolfo can't be taken lightley either.

Other top U.S. contenders to watch are Perfect Drift and Medaglia D'oro.

Johannesburg comes out of the Irish Countryside and the Ballydoyle Stables. He is regarded as the top horse of the three "international" contingent. Last year he crossed the Atlantic and won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile and was the Eclipse Award winner. In his last race, a seven-furlong length turf race overseas, he finished second at the wire to a four-year old horse, Rebelline. The turf that day was very rough, which was possibly a reason this horse looked sluggish. He is the "mystery" horse of the Derby and cannot be taken lightly.

One of the many unknown horses in the race. Has a good pedigree, but not that much experience. Finished second at the Arkansas Derby, beaten by 4-1/2 lengths by Private Emblem. Likes to run from the front, but not really of the same caliber as some of the others that like to run from the front. A long shot at best.

Some call Perfect Drift one of the "sleeper" horses to watch in the race. He's been running well in workouts and has an experienced jockey in Delahoussaye on board. In his last outing, he won the Spiral Stakes. Keep your eye on this one. A lot of "experts" are picking him to win.

In his last outing, Lusty Latin finished third at the Santa Anita Derby, three lengths behind Came Home. He is the first Kentucky Derby starter for Jeff Mullins. A late runner, he is a long shot for sure.

In his last race, War Emblem won the Illinois Derby handily over Repent by 6-1/4 lengths. He led from start to finish. After that race, he was purchased by The Thoroughbred Corp. Interesting to note that in the Risen Star Stakes in February, War Emblem finished sixth out of nine horses, and was beaten by 9-3/4 lengths by Repent. War Emblem is a horse that likes to run from the front, but will run into a crowded field up front. If he can get clear, he has a chance. If not, he'll tire with the rest of them and the late runners will take over.

Ocean Sound's last outing was a good one, finishing third by 4-3/4 lengths to early Derby favorite, Harlan's Holiday, at the Blue Grass Stakes. One of the bigger "long shots" in the race, he has continued to improve all spring. Has a good rider in Solis on board.

In his last race, he finished third at the Lane's End Spiral Stakes. He was barely beaten to the wire by Perfect Drift. In his prior race, he defeated Prior Drift at the John Battaglia Memorial. Both of those races were in March. He has not raced since, and has only been training. Pat Day rode him in his third place finish. Robby Albarado will ride him in the Derby. This is also trainer Stephen Margolis' first Kentucky Derby.

Probably the second strongest of the international contingent, and just as big a "mystery" as Johannesburg. Hasn't raced since the UAE Derby in March. He is a good strong finisher, and has been getting better with every race and workout. Watch him.

In his last outing, Medaglia D'oro finished second to Buddha at the Wood Memorial by a head. This is a good solid horse that likes to run from the front. If he can go the distance of 1-1/4 miles, he could take it all.

Private Emblem won the Arkansas Derby in grand fashion, defeating Wild Horses by 4-1/2 lengths. But don't look for him to repeat his run at the Derby. Good horse, but doesn't look good enough.

An interesting horse. He has already run the 1-1/4 mile distance and can do it in solid fashion. He is part of the twosome trained by Aidan O'Brien, who is also training Johannesburg. Another of the three strong international contingent to watch -- and this one should be watched.

Prior to the Lexington Stakes, Proud Citizen had a tough time at the Santa Anita Derby, finishing seventh out of eight horses and losing to Came Home by nine lengths. That was on April 6. He then traveled across the county and just 14 days later, won the Lexington Stakes by 3-1/4 lengths over Crimson Hero. A great comeback in such a short period of time. According to reports, he has been training great since then (maybe he likes the tracks in the east). With trainer D. Wayne Lukas working him, he could surprise the field.

In the wide open field of horses this year, Harlan's Holiday has emerged as the pre-race favorite to take the Derby. He got to this position with wins his last two times out at the Blue Grass Stakes and the Florida Derby. However, in his last win in the Blue Grass Stakes, he did not have a great run -- seemingly tiring at the end. Can he go the Derby distance? That will be the question. If yes, he earns his favorite status. If not, there are a number of other horses that will step in real fast to take the Roses.

Has had a good spring racing season. In his last race, he won the Santa Anita by 2-1/4 lengths over the second place horse, Easy Grades. Questions about whether he can go the distance are around. A good horse, but probably not one that will win on Derby day.

In his last outing, Saarland finished fourth in the Wood Memorial, 3-1/2 lengths behind Buddha. Still a horse to watch in the Derby. According to the experts, he has yet to run up to his ability yet. In addition, he had recent minor surgery to correct a breathing problem and has some tremendous workouts since that operation. He is also trained by Shug McGaughey, one of the tops in the business. Keep your eye on this one and don't be surprised if he's in the winner's circle at the end of the day.

A controversial, late entry. Not even sure why he is in the race, especially with a horse like Sunday Break, who is a legitimate contender, not in the race. Of course, he is trained by Bob Baffert ... 'nuff said. Don't be surprised if this horse is used by Baffert to set up his other entry, War Emblem. Bottom line -- this horse shouldn't be anywhere near the front at the end of the day.

Bombed in his last race -- finishing ninth out of 11 horses in the Arkansas Derby -- over 11 lengths behind Private Emblem. Not much of a shot in the Derby.

Had a strong run in his last race, finishing second to Came Home by 2-1/4 lengths in the Santa Anita Derby. In the race, he overcame equipment problems, but horse and rider stayed calm and took second. A good horse, but probably not good enough. Another long shot for this Derby.

A "cool name," an interesting owner in George Steinbrenner (yes, that George Steinbrenner) and a great rider in Pat Day. Last outing was not a good one -- finishing fifth at the Wood. However, he did have a solid outing in the Florida Derby. Can go the distance according to the experts, but probably won't be in the money.

So there you have it. The 19 horses that will run in the 128th Kentucky Derby.

Make your picks, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the race.

The race can be seen on your NBC affiliates. The show begins at 5 p.m. eastern time. There will also be some good pre-race analysis programming on ESPN beginning at noon eastern time.

Note: Information for this article was gathered from the following sources: Yahoo Sports, CNN/SI, ESPN.com, and KentuckyDerby.com.