* The big story of the day was Colonel John. Colonel John worked at Churchill Downs this morning and ran 5 furlongs in 57 4/5. He galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:11 1/5. Remember this is a horse that never ran over a dirt surface so this work seems to say he liked the dirt.

* Adriano worked out today as well. He went 5 furlongs in 1:00 4/5, galloping out 6 furlongs in 1:14 2/5.

* Filly Proud Spell is pointing to the Oaks, not the Derby.

* Smooth Air's temperature returned to normal and all signs are looking good for him to start in the Derby.

* Eight Belles worked this morning, sporting the traditional yellow saddle cloth for the Derby. She went 5 furlongs in 58 1/5.

Colonel John is my favorite, even if Big Brown is the favorite on the toteboard. I'll probably be boxing five horses in an exacta box and skip the win betting altogether. My short list as of right now:

Big Brown
Colonel John
Recapturetheglory
Dennis of Cork
Visionaire

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Fire Phil Emery

I continue to hold my decisions until the post draw. I'm intrigued by the filly though.

And as of now, Denis of Cork is still on the outside looking in. Big Black Jack is now in the field with the defection of Proud Spell.

I thought D of C was 18th.

Yeah, everything depends upon the posts. That's just where my thinking is at right now.

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Fire Phil Emery