In eight weeks, they'll run the 131st Kentucky Derby. In my long lifetime as a horse racing fan, I've picked exactly two Derby winners, but that doesn't stop me from trying.

This year, my two favorites, the two-year old champion Declan's Moon and the $4.5 million Fusaichi Samurai, are already out of the running with minor injuries. Even so, there's a few colts (and one filly) I have my eye on around the country. I'm going to try to post Dery updates here weekly and hopefully by the first Saturday in May I'll have picked a winner and made a few of you in horse racing fans.

Here's what's going on around the country.

California:

Without Declan's Moon, the class of California is probably Roman Ruler. He's been hampered in his training by the terrible weather out West this winter, but he should make his 3-year old debut next week. If all goes well he'll probably be my new Derby pick (God help him). I also like Going Wild who finished a good second to Declan's Moon last weekend, Don't Get Mad who'll do better as the distances get longer, and the wonderful, towering filly champion Sweet Catomine. Last year's Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Wilko is also in California, but I'm just not that impressed with him.

Arkansas/Louisiana/Kentucky:

The Louisiana Derby is today and the favorite is likely to be the stretch-running A.P. Indy colt Scipion. Another one to watch is Kansas City Boy. Down in Arkansas, Afleet Alex ran a tremendous race last weekend and, in light of Declan's Moon's injury, is probably the new Derby favorite. But, he will have to face Rockport Harbor soon. This colt has the same connections as last year's Derby winner Smarty Jones. We'll see if lightning can strike twice.

New York/Florida:

The sexy trainer Nick Zito has four legitimate Derby horses in his stable: Sun King, a son of 1999 Derby winner Charismatic, who will run in next week's Tampa Bay Derby, Andromeda's Hero, a colt by 2000 Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, Noble Causeway, and last week's Fountain of Youth winner High Fly. I also rather fancy Bandini, yet another son of Fusaichi Pegasus. These Florida & New York horses will really sort themselves out starting next weekend with the Gotham Stakes in New York.

1. Roman Ruler
2. Bandini
3. Scipion
4. Sun King
5. Don't Get Mad