ROAD TO THE DERBY \ Top contenders

1. Sun King (Nick Zito, trainer; Edgar Prado, jockey): Now at Churchill Downs after leaving Florida due to outbreak of contagious disease (strangles) in nearby barn at Palm Meadows Training Center ... Tampa Bay Derby winner is 2-for-2 this year ... Next start: Blue Grass (April 16)2. Rockport Harbor (John Servis, Stewart Elliott): Blacksmith flown in to work on bothersome right rear hoof ... Still on Derby trail ... Next start: Arkansas Derby (April 16)3. High Fly (Zito, Jerry Bailey): Slight fever canceled weekend workout plan ... Moves to Gulfstream from Palm Meadows for final tuneup early this week. Next start: Florida Derby (April 2)4. Sweet Catomine (Julio Canani, Corey Nakatani): Eclipse Award-winning filly still on target to test the boys ... Santa Anita Oaks winner has five victories in six career starts ... Next start: Santa Anita Derby (April 9)5. Consolidator (D. Wayne Lukas, Rafael Bejarano): San Felipe winner likely headed to Kentucky for final prep ... Next start: Blue Grass6. High Limit (Bobby Frankel, Ramon Dominguez): Also shipped to Churchill from Florida ... Won Louisiana Derby off 41/2-month layoff to boost his record to 3-for-3 ... Next start: Wood Memorial (April 9) or Blue Grass7. Greater Good (Bob Holthus, John McKee): Not most impressive 3-year-old, but consistent with three straight wins ... Next start: Arkansas Derby8. Survivalist (Shug McGaughey, Richard Migliore): Trainer hopes to have first Derby starter since Saarland finished 10th in 2002 ... Next start: Wood Memorial9. Bandini (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez): Pletcher had 34 Derby nominees; this may be his lone hope ... Finished strongly behind High Fly in Fountain of Youth ... Next start: Florida Derby10. Bellamy Road (Zito, Javier Castellano): Also shipped to Churchill from Palm Meadows over the weekend. Next start: Wood MemorialKeep an eye on: Afleet Alex, Don't Get Mad, Galloping Grocer, Giacomo, Noble Causeway
Associated Press