So you've watched the Kentucky Derby a couple of times, or maybe even every year. And you've always wondered if there was a better way to pick the winner than going by name, number, best looking jockey outfit or what the fine folks on TV say about the horses. Well, you're right. There is a better way... pay attention to the Derby prep season!

The Kentucky Derby is restricted to 3-year-old colts, geldings or fillies. All race horses celebrate their birthday on January 1, regardless of their actual birth date. Typically, at the age of 2, they enter races for the first time, and those whose abilities stand out start running in graded stakes, which are the highest class and pay the biggest purse money. This is important for potential Kentucky Derby contenders because the 20 available entry positions are determined by graded stakes earnings.

While plenty of "babies" or juveniles, as 2-year-olds are called, do well at the track, that doesn't mean their form will hold as 3-year-olds. On the flip side, some horses mature later and don't run until they are 3-year-olds, which means they have a lot of ground to make up both in earnings and in experience. That's why the real fun begins in February and March when the Derby prep races start to heat up.

For an excellent view of how hard it is to make it to the Kentucky Derby, we highly recommend the Hennegan Brothers' award-winning film The First Saturday in May (buy DVD), which follows five horses and their connections (owners and trainers) on the 2006 Derby trail, including that year's winner, Barbaro.

There are roughly 40 prep races that start in January and running though April. Sign up for our Kentucky Derby Prep Alerts mailing list and we'll send you a reminder for upcoming prep races! Won't you feel smart come Derby day when you not only know all the horses in the gate, but have a better idea of their ability?