When the Breeders’ Cup wraps each fall, the eyes of the racing world begin to focus on the lead-up to the next year’s Kentucky Derby, a six-month odyssey better known as the Triple Crown Trail.

Horses with aspirations in reaching Churchill Downs that first Saturday in May must first prove their mettle in a series of prep races designed to expose the pretenders from the contenders. Some of these races have more significance than others. We’ll look at the five that traditionally have the biggest impact on stamping a horse worthy of the Kentucky Derby.

Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland Race Course; Kentucky)–The Blue Grass is held three weeks prior to the Derby, making it one of the last options for the Derby’s “major” contenders. According to Kentuckyderby.com, 22 horses have won the Derby after prepping in the Blue Grass. That list includes the likes of Thunder Gulch, Spectacular Bid and Northern Dancer.

Unfortunately, this race has lost some of its impact since Keeneland changed its main track from dirt to synthetic following the 2006 Blue Grass.

Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park; Arkansas)–This became a key Triple Crown prep during the mid-2000’s and has has continued to maintain its prominent status. Recent winners of this race are a notable bunch. They include 2004 Kentucky Derby  and Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones; 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex; 2007 Champion Older Horse Lawyer Ron; and two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita Park; California)–This has been the Golden State’s major Derby prep since its inaugural running in 1935. Eight winners of the Santa Anita Derby has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, the last being Sunday Silence in 1989. In 2005, Giacomo became the 14th horse to run in the Santa Anita Derby and win the Kentucky Derby. From 2008-2010, the race was contested on a synthetic surface. Bob Baffert has the most wins among trainers with six.

Wood Memorial Stakes (Aqueduct Racetrack; New York)–Inaugurated in 1925, the  Wood Memorial Stakes as produced 20 Kentucky Derby winners in its history. They include Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, Monarchos in 2001 and Funny Cide in 2003. Recent winners of the Wood haven’t been so lucky. The last three to claim the Wood—Toby’s Corner in 2011, Eskendereya in 2010 and I Want Revenge in 2009—all were injure prior to the Derby and failed to compete.

Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park; Florida)–The Sunshine State’s major prep has been run annually since 1952. Nineteen horses have prepped in the Florida Derby and gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, including Big Brown in 2008 and Barbaro in 2006. It will be run on March 31 this year.

When the Breeders’ Cup wraps each fall, the eyes of the racing world begin to focus on the lead-up to the next year’s Kentucky Derby, a six-month odyssey better known as the Triple Crown Trail.

Horses with aspirations in reaching Churchill Downs that first Saturday in May must first prove their mettle in a series of prep races designed to expose the pretenders from the contenders. Some of these races have more significance than others. We’ll look at the five that traditionally have the biggest impact on stamping a horse worthy of the Kentucky Derby.

Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland Race Course; Kentucky)–The Blue Grass is held three weeks prior to the Derby, making it one of the last options for the Derby’s “major” contenders. According to Kentuckyderby.com, 22 horses have won the Derby after prepping in the Blue Grass. That list includes the likes of Thunder Gulch, Spectacular Bid and Northern Dancer.

Unfortunately, this race has lost some of its impact since Keeneland changed its main track from dirt to synthetic following the 2006 Blue Grass.

Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park; Arkansas)–This became a key Triple Crown prep during the mid-2000’s and has has continued to maintain its prominent status. Recent winners of this race are a notable bunch. They include 2004 Kentucky Derby  and Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones; 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex; 2007 Champion Older Horse Lawyer Ron; and two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita Park; California)–This has been the Golden State’s major Derby prep since its inaugural running in 1935. Eight winners of the Santa Anita Derby has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, the last being Sunday Silence in 1989. In 2005, Giacomo became the 14th horse to run in the Santa Anita Derby and win the Kentucky Derby. From 2008-2010, the race was contested on a synthetic surface. Bob Baffert has the most wins among trainers with six.

Wood Memorial Stakes (Aqueduct Racetrack; New York)–Inaugurated in 1925, the  Wood Memorial Stakes as produced 20 Kentucky Derby winners in its history. They include Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, Monarchos in 2001 and Funny Cide in 2003. Recent winners of the Wood haven’t been so lucky. The last three to claim the Wood—Toby’s Corner in 2011, Eskendereya in 2010 and I Want Revenge in 2009—all were injure prior to the Derby and failed to compete.

Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park; Florida)–The Sunshine State’s major prep has been run annually since 1952. Nineteen horses have prepped in the Florida Derby and gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, including Big Brown in 2008 and Barbaro in 2006. It will be run on March 31 this year.