The May 5 Kentucky Derby seems certain to host the maximum number of 20 3-year-olds when entries are taken Wednesday morning, with graded stakes earnings the criteria for ranking the top 20. Once entries are drawn, the field is set. There is no “also eligible” list, so any late scratches between the draw and post time will only reduce the number of starters.

At present, there are no fewer than seven horses with an interest in running in Derby yet on the outside looking in due to a lack of graded earnings. Foremost among them is Chelokee, who will need several things to fall his way in order to receive a berth.

A troubled third in the Florida Derby, Chelokee is currently tied for 23rd on the graded earnings list with Reporting for Duty. Should there be enough defections that this 23rd slot is reached, a random draw would decide whether Chelokee or Reporting for Duty would get preference.

In order to get to Chelokee, however, spots must first open up for Teuflesberg (21st on the graded earnings list) and Imawildandcrazyguy (22nd).

Teuflesberg has made more starts (15) than any other Derby hopeful, and despite having appeared in nine graded stakes races, still needs help. Even if able to draw in, his chances are remote at best as his best races have been when allowed an uncontested lead, which won’t happen in the Derby. Teuflesberg also has a tendency to break slowly, which would place him in serious trouble in a race like this.

Imawildandcrazyguy is being entered in the Unbridled Stakes this Saturday at Calder, but will scratch from that slot if there appears a reasonable chance of drawing into the Derby come Saturday.