Wood Memorial, Illinois and Santa Anita Derbies Gambling

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Four weeks until the 134th Kentucky Derby and things should begin the shake out this weekend. On tap Saturday are the Wood Memorial, Illinois and Santa Anita Derbies.

Until now none of the three-year-olds considered contenders for the Run for the Roses has separated himself from the rest. Pyro has posted impressive wins in Louisiana and Big Brown burst onto the scene with a commanding win in the Florida Derby.

Needing some redemption is 2007 champion juvenile War Pass. The colt failed badly as the 1-20 favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby, but is the likely favorite for the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

"For whatever reason, he just didn't show up," said trainer Nick Zito. "You want to be confident and draw a line through the Tampa race. His work last week was great. From what I can see, he's going to put in a good effort."

Including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, War Pass was perfect in his first five starts. He already has the graded stakes earnings to safely put him into the Kentucky Derby field.

Denis of Cork is the 2-1 favorite for the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. The colt is undefeated in three career starts and is coming off a solid victory in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn.