AND now it’s February. The Derby Trail begins in earnest as contenders begin to separate from pretenders on the long march to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

This Saturday the preps dot the country as Santa Anita hosts the Robert Lewis on the west coast, Gulfstream Park serves up the Holy Bull down south and Aqueduct delivers the Withers to die-hard northerners (on ATR).

The most accomplished contender begins his three-year-old season in the Lambholm South Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park.

Champion Classic Empire, undefeated when he finishes (sounds like a jumper), makes his first start since clinching that championship in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile back in November. The bay son of Pioneerof The Nile has one blemish in his five-start career, when balking and dumping jockey Irad Ortiz at the start of the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.

Before and since, Julien Leparoux has guided him to four wins from four starts. Owned by John Oxley and trained by Mark Casse, Classic Empire takes on eight rivals in the $350,000 stakes race.

Gunnevera helped propel Dialed In to a stellar first year as a stallion by winning the Saratoga Special and Delta Jackpot, but he finished nearly seven lengths behind Classic Empire in the Breeders’ Cup. Eclipse Award winner Javier Castellano keeps the ride on the late-running, long-legged chesnut colt.

Fact Finding puts his undefeated record on the line in the Holy Bull. A Tally Ho Stud pinhook at Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale in 2016, the son of The Factor represents Stonestreet Stable, Sue Magnier and trainer Todd Pletcher. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, three-for-three on Fact Finding, takes the call again.

Earlier on the Holy Bull card, a host of three-year-olds sprint in the Swale Stakes. Yes, at seven furlongs, the Swale looks a long way from the 10-furlong Derby, but Triple Crown nominees Derek’s Smile, Sonic Mule, Three Rules and Vanis could - could - climb the mountain.

AQUEDUCT

In another world - in climate and mileage - 10 three-year-olds converge for the Withers at Aqueduct, the second major three-year-old stop for northeast-based runners.

El Areeb rides a three-race win streak into the $250,000 stakes race. Owned M M G stable and Cathal Lynch, the son of Exchange Rate walloped six rivals, including Bonus Points and True Timber who line up again, in the Jerome in early January.

Lynch keeps fellow Maryland-based Trevor McCarthy onboard the grey colt. Square Shooter and Small Bear take big steps out of allowance conditions for off-the-radar trainer Michael Lerman and Gary Sciacca while Pletcher continues to pepper the target with Bonus Points and Fillet Of Sole.

In recent years, California has proven best when it comes to the Derby, winning the last three. There’s no doubt West Coast horsemen will have a presence again this year, but most aren’t using the Lewis as a springboard as just five horses - and just one graded stakes winner - line up for the Grade 3 stakes race.

Doug O’Neill, who won last year’s Derby with Nyquist, unleashes three of the five starters. O’Neill puts blinkers on Irap and takes them off Term Of Art.

Off the beaten path, but a path nonetheless, a two-turn maiden at Oaklawn Park on the same day as the headliners could add some spice to the soup as winter turns to spring.

Last year, Belmont Stakes winner Creator was still a maiden until the end of February when he secured a two-turn maiden at Oaklawn. The finale on Saturday offers a diploma to the likes of Tempo Seeker, Horse Fly and Atta Kid. Just take a look and see if you see a Belmont horse.