It is that time of year that always reminds me of a game I played as a kid called musical chairs. Kentucky Derby horses will change as owners, trainers and just plain luck plays a part in the horses that will run in the Derby. As one group of connections is despondent when their horse will not be in the Derby, another group of connections is euphoric.

This year will be a bit different. We get to play musical chairs for 2 extra days – until Friday, May 4th at 9 AM because we have 4 “also eligibles”. That means that if any of the Top twenty horses in graded stakes earnings that are entered in the Derby drop out – Presto, an “also eligible” horse can go in place of that horse.

Here are the horses by graded stakes earnings as of 6 AM on April 23

Ranking Horse Graded Stakes Earnings Owner(s) Trainer

1. Hansen $1,550,000 Kendall E. Hansen and Skychai Racing (Harvey Diamond) Mike Maker
2. Daddy Long Legs $1,294,030 Mrs. John Magnier / Michael Tabor / Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien
3. Union Rags $1,170,000 Chadds Ford Stable (Phyllis Wyeth) Michael Matz
4. Dullahan $855,000 Donegal Racing (Jerry Crawford) Dale Romans
5. Creative Cause $836,000 Heinz Steinmann Mike Harrington
6. Gemologist $703,855 WinStar Farm, LLC (Kenny Troutt) Todd Pletcher
7. Sabercat $701,429 Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC (Ron Winchell) Steve Asmussen
8. Take Charge Indy $698,400 Chuck and Mari Beth Sandford, LLC Pat Byrne
9. Bodemeister $660,000 Zayat Stables, LLC (Ahmed Zayat) Bob Baffert
10. I’ll Have Another $601,000 J. Paul Reddam Doug O’Neill
11. Daddy Nose Best $545,558 Bob and Cathy Zollars Steve Asmussen
12. Liaison $393,000 Arnold Zetcher, LLC Bob Baffert
13. Alpha $380,000 Godolphin (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) Kiaran McLaughlin
14. Prospective $367,327 John C. Oxley Mark Casse
15. Trinniberg $324,500 Shivananda Parbhoo Bisnath Parboo
16. Done Talking $311,000 Skeedattle Stable Hamilton Smith
17. Went the Day Well $282,000 Team Valor Intl. Barry Irwin/Mark Ford Graham Motion
18. Rousing Sermon $270,000 Tree Top Ranches (Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams) Jerry Hollendorfer
19. Mark Valeski $260,000 Brereton C. Jones Larry Jones
20. El Padrino $250,000 Let’s Go Stable (Kevin Scatuorchio and Brian Sullivan) Todd Pletcher
21. Isn’t He Clever (gelding ) $191,333 J. Kirk and Judy Robison Steve Asmussen
22. Optimizer $184,708 Bluegrass Hall, LLC (Brad Kelley) D. Wayne Lukas
23. Castaway $162,667 Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith Bob Baffert
24. Currency Swap $150,000 Klaravich Stables, Inc.(Seth Klarman)/Wm. H. Lawrence Teresa Pompay
25. The Lumber Guy $150,000 Barry K. Schwartz Mike Hushion
26. My Adonis $140,000 George and Lori Hall Kelly Breen
27. Brother Francis $135,000 Norman Cheng Jim Cassidy

Bottomline is that we have extra days to wonder who will be in “big Race” on May 5 at Churchill Downs. Kentucky Derby Tours participants will be waiting until Oaks morning to know who will run in the Derby.