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The prep races leading up to this Saturday's 125th Kentucky Derby have produced a paddock full of good 3-year-olds but no clear-cut favorite. That makes picking the winner tougher than usual. Whether you're a veteran handicapper or a novice, you can bet these three sites will help narrow your choices before post time on Derby Day.

?www.kentuckyderby.com
The race's official site (above) combines in-depth race history, daily reports and workout times from Churchill Downs, and vital stats of the entrants. To put some kick into your Derby party, check out the recipes for Dead Heat Kentucky Burgoo and Kentucky Bourbon Balls.

?www.drf2000.com
Hard-core handicappers can download each Derby horse's past performance data ($3 gets you the figures for Saturday's entire Churchill Downs card) or swap tips with fellow on-line railbirds in the Daily Racing Form's chat room. Beginners can surf the extensive glossary to learn the lingo.

?www.thoroughbredtimes.com/tc99/default.asp
Review all the prep-race analysis on this site's news page, then trace each Derby horse's pedigree and read up on the jockeys, trainers and owners who have an entry in this year's Run for the Roses.

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sites we'd like to see

?www.beautiesandthebust.com
Bios, photos and interviews of the undercover officers who arrested well-known athletes on charges of solicitation.

?www.dopeyathletes.com
Hourly updates from labs on results of drug tests taken by famous athletes in denial.