In recent years trends have been busted up regarding the Kentucky Derby quicker than insurance companies have been going belly up and although we don’t have a Big Brown to kick around, this year’s field brings together a well-matched cast of quality competitors.

There is probably no horse that can overcome post 20 as BB did last year but there are several that have a chance to be draped in roses after about 2 minutes and 2 seconds.

Last year, the first, second and third runners early in the race finished 16th, 9th and 5th.

In 2007, runners in those first 3 positions finished 2nd, 19th and 20th.

Before we look at the contenders that abound from coast to coast focusing on their attributes, let's address some subplots.

Flying Private will be carrying a piano in the name of D. Wayne Lukas, who is in quest of his 5th Kentucky Derby. This grinder may get a piece and he kind of has the same form as former Lukas Derby winner Charismatic.

Dubai dudes Desert Party and Regal Ransom will be trying to prove they can winter in the Middle East and still get the money the first Saturday in May.

With the stock Godolphin has, it's probably only a matter of time but not convinced this is the year although Ransom will be forwardly spotted.

The septuagenarians will be rooting for General Quarters, who posted the 14-1 upset in the Blue Grass and is trained by a former high school principal Tom McCarthy, who is a sweet 75.

Sentiment is all fine and good but not this time.

Which leaves us with the contenders.

Who would have thought it possible that diet guru Jenny Craig would have a vehicle in the Derby named Chocolate Candy?

This guy is bred to run all day; he closed into some slow splits last time in defeat, has a solid grinding style and must be respected. His best asset could be the way he's coming to the race with fast drills and a stamina inducing mile work.

Dunkirk is the shooting star that has a ton of talent and although trends are made to be broken, he is coming to the race off just three starts and only one horse in 93 years has been able to pull off a victory after that and his name is Big Brown. This guy also didn't race at two and the last Derby hero that did that was Apollo in 1882.

Larry Jones has a chance to go out like Michael Jordan did hitting the winning shot in the NBA Finals vs. Utah as he'll saddle Friesian Fire, then call it a career.

Fire has not raced since March but has blossomed this spring and could be a handful.

Just the fact that patient Bill Mott has Hold Me Back in the Derby speaks volumes. Only one off effort, he was wide that day, and he should be closing late.

In victory is the best revenge department comes I Want Revenge, whose trainer Jeff Mullins has been under fire for bad practices in New York. This runner has grit, he wants to beat you, has the agility to overcome a bad trip and can quicken.

Musket Man is what the dream is all about as he only cost 15 grand. He coming to the race right, just not sure he's been beating anybody.

The jury is still out on Papa Clem, who has not trained all that well at Churchill. His trainer Gary Stute learned from his Pops and that's a great starting point. The colt has tactical speed, but the horse he beat in the Arkansas Derby was injured during the race.

Garrett Gomez had the choice to ride Dunkirk or Pioneerof the Nile and he chose the ladder. We'll see as both are tabbed at 4-1 on the morning line.

Pioneerof the Nile, a son of Empire Maker, has done nothing but win since last October, but he has been rank and that's a concern.

With Quality Road sidelined, would not be shocked if Regal Ransom is sent hard from the sound of the bell.

He figures to be pushed early by the Todd Pletcher rabbit Join in the Dance.

So how does it play out?

Regal Ransom, Join in the Dance, Friesan Fire and Papa Clem will cut out the splits. Desert Party, Dunkirk, I Want Revenge and Pioneerof the Nile will lead the second flight while the contenders among the deep closers will be Chocolate Candy, Hold Me Back and Mr. Hot Stuff.

As they straighten out for home Regal Ransom will start gasping for breathe as Join in the Dance spit out the bit after a half mile. Papa Clem will be breathing down his throat while I Want Revenge will be trying to find racing room from the inside.

In the last hundred yards I Want Revenge gets out under Joe Talamo, dives to the front but can't hold off Chocolate Candy, who swoops by them all from the outside. Rallying Hold Me Back completes the trifecta with Papa Clem the superfecta player.

Think about keying Chocolate Candy first and second in the trifecta with those three others and maybe Dunkirk and Pioneerof the Nile.