Nelson Stud Weld

Nelson Stud Weld

Nelson Stud Weld

Its likely that Quality Road, trained by savvy Jimmy Jerkens, will lead the Kentucky Derby favorite's board on May 2 for the 135th running of the classic, but veteran trainer Bob Baffert will be pushing the envelope with his first KD kid, Pioneerof The Nile, since his smartly rated War Emblem raced for the Triple Crown title in 2002.

In hot pursuit of that training duo is Jerry Hollendorfer, who thinks highly of his entrant, Chocolate Candy, a strong second place finisher to Pioneerof The Nile in the April 4 Santa Anita Derby.

Baffert and the Kentucky Derby

Baffert is easily spotted in racing crowds when not attending one of his Thoroughbreds in training. His white, ear lobe-length hair is familiar to any race fan and instantly connected to Kentucky Derby titles, as well as several "almost" Triple Crown championships.