The 142nd Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Before the starting gates open (and the betting windows close) for the $2 million Run for the Roses — post time is 6:34 p.m.; NBC will televise — here is a guide to the field.

Horses are listed by program number, in post position order (posts 1 through 20).

Bay colt, by Street Cry (Machiavellian), out of Storm Song (Summer Squall)
Jockey: Aaron Gryder
Trainer: Patrick Gallagher

Current Form: It’s a game of inches. Maiden came charging up the rail in the Wood Memorial at 81-1 only to fall a head shy. Winless through six.

Worth a Wager: First maiden to win the Derby since 1933? No. Connections are just happy to be here. For USC fans only, but a horse you can root for … 19th.

Bay gelding, by Mineshaft (A.P. Indy), out of Uchitel (Afleet Alex)
Jockey: Luis Quinonez
Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel

Current Form: Runner-up in the Arkansas Derby even though the fractions were not ripe for a late run. Defeated Whitmore in a Grade 3 earlier in the year. Blew out 5/8ths in :59.3 upon arrival at Churchill Downs.

Worth a Wager: One of a slew of closers who will try to move late. Got some breaking news for ya: he isn’t closing much … 18th.

Gray or Roan colt, by Tapit (Pulpit), out of Morena (Privately Held)
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Current Form: Arkansas Derby winner is peaking at the right time. Kicked from 15 lengths out to score after being set up perfectly when the 1/2 mile came up in :46.1. Ran out of real estate in the Rebel previously.

Worth a Wager: Has traveled the same path to the Derby as American Pharoah. Could prove tough — Balboa tough — going the distance. Not expecting a clean trip so I’ll place him 13th.

Dark Bay or Brown colt, by Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), out of Caroni (Rubiano)
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Trainer: Thomas Amoss

Current Form: Excuses … excuses. Stretch runner looked ready to pounce in the the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby but had to check and lost to Gun Runner each time.

Worth a Wager: More excuses than the Yankees brass explaining their attendance figures. No guarantee of a garden trip here either. In the words of Ted Cruz, “No viable road to victory”… 8th.

Chestnut colt, by Candy Ride (Ride the Rails), out of Quiet Giant (Giant’s Causeway)
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Current Form: Louisiana Derby champ has won four of five and broke his maiden over this course in his two-year- old debut. Seemed to relish the extra distance last out.

Worth a Wager: One of a select few who may show some early initiative. Credentials suggest he can wear the roses. We’ll place him 3rd.

Bay colt, by Trappe Shot (Tapit), out of Lauren Byrd (Arch)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Chad Brown

Current Form: Stormed from out of the clouds to place second in the Blue Grass to Brody’s Cause. Circled the field eight-wide so he made up a ton of ground. Only one win to his credit.

Worth a Wager: Top local connections (Chad Brown/Irad Ortiz) may force you to find a reason to play him. I couldn’t find one. Leaving My Man on the corner of 16th and nowhere.

Chestnut colt, by Kitten’s Joy (El Prado), out of Devine Actress (Theatrical)
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: Michael Maker

Current Form: Has never raced on the dirt before. Two-time turf winner took the Grade 3 Spiral on the synthetics at Turfway Park his final prep. Rider change to Leparoux.

Worth a Wager: Spoiler alert! He’s not winning. Sired by Kittens Joy so he should see better days on the lawn this summer. Fits here like a suit on Giants coach Ben McAdoo. Last of 20.

Gray or Roan colt, by Tapit (Pulpit), out of Heavenly Romance (Sunday Silence)
Jockey: Yutaka Take
Trainer: Mikio Matsunaga

Current Form: Kentucky-bred cut his teeth in Japan, then ventured to Meydan where he won the UAE Derby at this distance. Broke poorly that day but eventually took charge 100 yards out.

Worth a Wager: Went this route last year when I picked Mubtaahij to win the Derby. The $1.3 million earner can run from here to Japan and back. A grind-it-out 5th.

Gray or Roan colt, by Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat), out of Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Current Form: Brings a two-race winning streak to the gate, the latest in the Tampa Bay Derby where he was a length better than Outwork. Pulled down triple-digit Beyer but has not yet approached this distance.

Worth a Wager: Pletcher gray hasn’t competed since March 12. Well rested or too much rest? Castellano will make him harder to shake than Bernie Sanders … 9th.

Chestnut colt, by Pleasantly Perfect (Pleasant Colony), out of Melody’s Spirit (Scat Daddy)
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Trainer: Ron Moquett

Current Form: Moved belatedly to hit the board in both the Rebel and Arkansas Derby. Has a win over track but may have issues going long. Wins earned while sprinting.

Worth a Wager: Victor Espinoza knows how to win the Derby, but horse is unproven at two turns. I’m thinking Cam Newton. Potential, but comes up small in biggest spot … 12th.

Dark Bay or Brown colt, by Curlin (Smart Strike), out of Dawn Raid (Vindication)
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

Current Form: Loves it wet. Won the Santa Anita Derby by six-plus in the slop after trailing by 15. Has earned over $1.6 million for team Desormeaux. Beaten twice by Nyquist.

Worth a Wager: If it rains, he’ll be as popular at the windows as “Hamilton.” Steadfast and true, he’s gonna come to your superfecta rescue … 4th.

Dark Bay or Brown colt, by More Than Ready (Southern Halo), out of Goodbye Stranger (Broad Brush)
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Current Form: Landed a surprising second to Gun Runner in the Louisiana at 30-1. Numerous close calls but a single win speaks volumes. Scorched 5/8ths in :59.2 latest work.

Worth a Wager: Win was earned over this oval. Matters little. Has had more chances than Johnny Manziel. A traffic-troubled 15th.

Bay colt, by Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), out of Seeking Gabrielle (Forestry)
Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Current Form: Two-year-old champion won the Florida Derby to keep his record perfect through seven starts. The $3.3 million earner ran stride for stride with previously undefeated Mohaymen before putting him away.

Worth a Wager: Don’t like him going this long, but I like everyone else even less. May have it his way on the front end, then holds off a cast of closers to win the slowest derby since Super Saver in 2010.

Gray or Roan colt, by Tapit (Pulpit), out of Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

Current Form: Pricey Shadwell-owned colt was the winter book favorite after winning his initial five starts before coming up so empty in the Florida Derby to Nyquist.

Worth a Wager: Puzzling. Why did he run so poorly?. Could rain be his Kryptonite? Big rebound expected … 2nd.

Bay colt, by Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), out of Nonna Mia (Empire Maker)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Current Form: Repole/Pletcher charge made it 3 of 4 when he won a slow Wood Memorial facing a suspect field. Desperate to hold off the maiden Trojan Nation.

Worth a Wager: The key to the race. One of the few who will want the lead and pressure Nyquist. History suggests he’s not a Derby winner. Better two weeks from now in the Preakness. A tapped-out 10th.

Bay colt, by Bernardini (A.P. Indy), out of Muhaawara (Unbridled’s Song)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Chad Brown

Current Form: Top five in the winter books took a serious step back when he suffered his first loss in the Wood Memorial. Left the gate as the odds-on favorite in each but provides value off latest.

Worth a Wager: Regally bred colt may have been overrated. Could have been the mud, but nothing to suggest that he wakes here. Rosario replaces Irad Ortiz … 14th.

Dark Bay or Brown ridgling, by Eskendereya (Giant’s Causeway), out of Im a Dixie Girl (Dixie Union)
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Current Form: Baffert’s back. Grade 1 winner checked in a distant second to Exaggerator in the Santa Anita Derby. Consistent ridgling has won 3 of 7 while finishing no worse than second.

Worth a Wager: Legendary trainer has been hugely successful in this event during his long career. Not this year. There are 19 losers in this race. He’s one of them … 11th.

Bay ridgling, by Tiznow (Cee’s Tizzy), out of Unacloud (Unaccounted For)
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Current Form: Finally earned his diploma in his fifth try. Then ran second to Nyquist in the Florida Derby after receiving a garden trip.

Worth a Wager: Not fooled. And M/L suggests he’ll gather as much support here as Trump in Mexico. Bill Parcells: “You are what your record says you are.” Back-to-earth 17th.

Bay colt, by Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat), out of Sweet Breanna (Sahm)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Dale Romans

Current Form: Offered little at Tampa Bay but was roused from 10 lengths back to win the Blue Grass. Won a Grade 1 last year at Keeneland as well.

Worth a Wager: Chief Brody is another in a field rich in stretch runners. Some are better; some worse. Chancy, like eating at Chipotle. Maybe if the race was at Keeneland … 7th.

Dark Bay or Brown colt, by Twirling Candy (Candy Ride), out of Talkin and Singing (Songandaprayer)
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Clifford Sise Jr.

Current Form: Front-runner had his three-race winning streak snapped when he caught a wet track in the Santa Anita Derby. Worked 5/8ths in a fast :59.4 last week.

Worth a Wager: Speed from the 20 hole. Should get out the gate faster than the Chicago Cubs. High-octane speed may force Nyquist to step back. Dangerous on the fast track … Gives way late to be 6th.