Kentucky Derby update | Backside buzzes three days out

Where just last week there was space along the Churchill Downs backside to play basketball on a fully sized court near the chute, now there's a souvenir trailer.

Along the fence, morning shows are rolling in real time, and farther back, a row of white tents hangs over makeshift radio and TV booths.

For those of us working — we get to call it that, folks — a stack of Krispy Kreme boxes awaits on the way in to pick up barn notes. Life is good.

If you can make your way onto the backside, Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses are accessible. They train, take a bath and spend the rest of the day hanging out.

The full barn list is as follows:

—With the Derby post position draw set for 5 p.m. — you can watch live at courier-journal.com — 21st-place Pablo Del Monte will ship to Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Wednesday in hopes of a spot opening before Friday morning. He is the only expected also-eligible after the full 20-horse field.

—California Chrome trained early again, getting on track before 7 a.m., this time with a correctly spelled saddle towel. Yesterday, trainer Art Sherman joked he'd sell the misprinted version on eBay.

—Uncle Sigh, who arrived Monday from New York, will also train but may "stretch his legs out" and work a bit on Wednesday morning. It's rumored Wicked Strong could do the same before Derby. Other than that, all timed workouts are in the books.

—California Chrome jockey Victor Espinoza caused a bit of Twitter controversy Tuesday evening upon finding out Luiz Saez will no longer ride 3-year-old Champion Will Take Charge, an Alysheba entry on Friday's undercard.

"Trainer D. Wayne Lukas) took Saez off of Will Take Charge?! He's no different than Donald Sterling! #wow" Espinoza tweeted, comparing the trainer to the Los Angeles Clippers owner.

Espinoza has since deleted his post.

—A decent amount of criticism has been aimed at Churchill Downs officials this week for what horsemen consider a greedy operation this time of year. Well, it's not the only track in the game with that tendency.

A sign outside Belmont Park now greets owners and trainers with a $7 parking free. It's free for accredited personnel to get in the Churchill Downs backside.

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199; follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.