Churchill Downs

While the Kentucky Derby prep races have revealed no strong favorites, they have showcased a deep stable of talent. Here, in order, are SI's top 5 for May 5, plus one long shot special

Shackleford pushed the pace from the start at Pimlico and then held on to give a racing lifer his first classic win while spoiling the latest bid for the Triple Crown

A confluence of strange events brought horse and jockey together, and then Animal Kingdom surged past the leaders to win a wide-open Kentucky Derby

A rebellious, free-spending owner, a lightning-rod trainer and a homespun jockey helped turn undefeated filly Rachel Alexandra into the talk of the track in 2009

proved her jockey right by wiring the boys at the Preakness, but not without a scare from Mine That Bird, who validated his Derby victory