This is the first of four parts of a series reviewing the key prep races for the upcoming Kentucky Derby on May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

It was quite a weekend for fans of thoroughbred racing and handicappers focusing on the upcoming Kentucky Derby.

Union Rags - the probably Derby favorite was beaten in the Florida Derby on March 31 - and last Saturday, big-time contenders Alpha and Creative Cause came up short in big prep races for the Run for the Roses.

It appears the Kentucky Derby is wide open now, and with the Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass still on tap, who knows how many legitimate contenders could go to the gate on May 5.

It appears Gemologist - unbeaten and the gutsy winner of the Wood Memorial - could emerge as the post-time favorite in a few weeks in Louisville, but there is still a lot of time before the gates open on the first Saturday in May. I'll Have a Another outlasted Creative Cause at Santa Anita, but can a California shipper take the roses for the first time since Giacomo in 2005?

Stay tuned to the preps this weekend and we will begin to break down the contenders individually once the field for the Kentucky Derby really starts to take shape next week.

- BTilton@News-Herald.com