With the majority of the Kentucky Derby preps in the books, and nothing left to do really then wait for the big day, the wise can take a look back as tradition is always relevant in this sport but before we look at this year's top contenders, what has history taught us?

Five races have had the greatest impact on the Derby in recent years. They are the Arkansas, Florida and Santa Anita Derbies, the Blue Grass Stakes and the Wood Memorial.

More about the winners of those preps a bit later on.

Basically, runners have to come to Louisville on top of your game as since 1937, only a handful of winners have finished off the board in their final start before the Derby.

When clever horse bettors start burning the midnight oil for that Derby winner, they should know that having a super race at Churchill Downs is NOT the signal that a win on Derby Day is imminent.

Only 5 Derby winners since 1990 ran well at CD before the Derby.

Here are some other guidelines.

Most Kentucky Derby winners or Triple Crown contenders overall just don't fall off trees. They have to be nurtured, coddled, scolded and punished like the equine children that they are and it takes more than talent to reach the pinnacle of the game the first Saturday in May. It takes a master game plan.

Trainers and basketball coaches have a lot in common. In hoops, you have to treat players differently. Some respond to being called on the carpet day in and day out when mistakes are made and some go into a shell when singled out because of a mental error or a super bad decision. Trainers have to be a combination of good cop, bad cop, big brother, and maybe most importantly, part the reincarnation of Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, who won the Kentucky Derby three times and saddled the winners of 10 other Triple Crown races.

Players have to depend on trainers that have a grand scheme and good game plan in regard to the grueling Triple Crown Trail.

Once a trainer tries to play 'catch up' after missing time because of any circumstance, that runner is in jeopardy of not only missing the Triple Crown races, but of having his entire career negatively impacted by being pushed.

Eskendereya is the valid favorite for the big show in Louisville. His Fountain of Youth win was validated when the others from that race came back to win and he stamped his ticket as the chalk with the dominating win in the Wood Memorial.

The son of Giant's Causeway has only run one poor race and he has a legit excuse that day. His stalk and pounce style is absolutely ideal for success.

From the other coast come the 2 horses to deny in Lookin at Lucky and Sidney's Candy. Candy has eye-catching speed but may have to show a new wrinkle and rate if he wants to be successful at Churchill.

Candy has a high cruising speed and if you got deep in his pedigree, you'll find a classy runner that won at a mile and a half on grass.

Lookin at Lucky has been anything but of late with a three rough trips in a row. After being sawed off in the Santa Anita Derby, he put his head down and still was trying hard to the end in a way that suggests he wants to beat you.

Of the last 2 preps, the Blue Grass winner Stately Victor should offer the most argument. He's in the right hands of Michael Matz and has a style that screams classics. He got a 94 Beyer for the Blue Grass effort.

Line of David got a perfect ride winning the Arkansas Derby with a 98 Beyer but opposite of Victor, he has brilliant speed and those types could get fried in a duel the first Saturday in May.

These guys are the main players but for those that are looking for a live longshot, there would be worse places to go then Endorsement.

Bred to get the classic distance on the bottom side being out of a A.P. Indy mare, the colt cost $450,000, has tactical speed but has proven he can rate and succeed and he has only run one poor race, the debut at the wrong distance.

His trainer Shannon Ritter is far from a household name but she learned under the legendary Slick Nick Zito.