updated 5:46 p.m. ET April 29, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jockey Kent Desormeaux remembers the first turn of the 1998 Kentucky Derby, when he was forced to make one of the most critical decisions of his career.

With a “monster pull” on the reins, he took Real Quiet back from a contentious lead pack and onto a clear path near the rail with plenty of room to run.

By the time the field entered the far turn, the leaders had worn each other out, Real Quiet had cruised into the lead and then held off Victory Gallop to win by a half length.

“I decided I wasn’t going to get involved with that lead group,” Desormeaux said. “Those horses ended up playing pingpong. I would have been part of it, and it would have winded my horse. By electing to move just a length back, I had a swan dance of a ride — without complications.”

More than one rider, including Desormeaux, may be forced to make similar split-second calls entering the first turn of next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. And that’s because the 132nd run for the roses is shaping up as a mad dash for the lead.

Rarely has a Derby been filled with so many front-running favorites.

There’s Brother Derek and Lawyer Ron, both unbeaten this year by loving the lead and getting there quickly. There’s Barbaro, who has won all five of his races the same way — hanging a half-length back and taking over around the far turn.

Add a group of speed demons such as Sinister Minister, Sharp Humor and even Keyed Entry, and it’s not hard to imagine a wild scramble for position as a full field of 20 3-year-olds comes buzzing past the crowd at Churchill Downs the first time.

“It’ll be a fireball into the first turn, a mass of speed going down through there,” said trainer John Ward, who won the 2001 Derby with Monarchos. “I’ll be surprised if the dirt doesn’t explode into flames, the pace will be so hot.”

Banging and bumping is the usual fare when so many horses are gunning for the same spot early on, but once position is established the rest of the 1¼-mile race still has to unfold. And that brings us to several other very fast horses who can crank up the speed later rather than sooner.

Among them is Illinois Derby winner Sweetnorthernsaint, with Desormeaux aboard.

“I envision myself a few lengths behind because my horse has a high cruising speed and a nice kick at the end,” the two-time Derby-winning rider said. “Can he do it after a mile? No one knows. No one knows if any of them can do it for 1¼ miles. That’s what makes it so exciting.”

Of course, there are the late-runners poised for a furious finish if the leaders slow down in the stretch. Jazil, A.P. Warrior and Steppenwolfer all fall in the closer category.

“No doubt there will be a mad dash at the start, but for us it’s a matter of how quickly some of them stop,” Jazil trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “There will be several of them backing up at the 3/8th pole and hopefully they don’t get in our way when we’re running from the back.”

It should all add up to one of the most competitive Derbies in quite some time.

“A lot of horses are coming into it undefeated this year, a real quality field with good records,” said Lawyer Ron’s trainer, Bob Holthus.

MORE FROM HORSE RACING

Horse racing Section Front

Judge rejects sale of Curlin Munce banned again in tips for bets case Somebeachsomewhere wins Breeders Crown race Tale of Ekati wins Cigar Mile on a DQ Leparoux sets Churchill Downs win record Einstein wins Clark Handicap at Churchill Latest horse racing videos Vote: When will we see next Triple Crown winner? Interactive: Triple Crown winners, near misses   Sound off on horse racing message boards Horse racing Section Front   Add Horse racing headlines to your news reader: