With a week to go until Kentucky Derby 142, the expected field has taken shape, with entries and post positions to be drawn on Wednesday, May 4.

Bear in mind, though, that in recent years, the week before the Kentucky Derby has seen significant scratches, with high-profile horses dropping out and making room for those on the outside looking in to take a shot on the first Saturday in May.

2009:  Favored I Want Revenge was scratched the morning of the race after an ankle injury was detected.

2010:  Eskendereya, trained by Todd Pletcher, owned by Zayat Stables, and the likely favorite in the race, was sidelined with injured six days before the Derby. He never raced again.

2011: Uncle Mo, the 2010 juvenile champion, also trained by Pletcher, was withdrawn the day before the race with an illness.

2015: Longshot El Kabeir, owned by Zayat Stables, the same people that owned Eskendereya, scratched the day before the Derby with a foot injury.

With a week to go until Kentucky Derby 142, the expected field has taken shape, with entries and post positions to be drawn on Wednesday, May 4.

Bear in mind, though, that in recent years, the week before the Kentucky Derby has seen significant scratches, with high-profile horses dropping out and making room for those on the outside looking in to take a shot on the first Saturday in May.

2009:  Favored I Want Revenge was scratched the morning of the race after an ankle injury was detected.

2010:  Eskendereya, trained by Todd Pletcher, owned by Zayat Stables, and the likely favorite in the race, was sidelined with injured six days before the Derby. He never raced again.

2011: Uncle Mo, the 2010 juvenile champion, also trained by Pletcher, was withdrawn the day before the race with an illness.

2015: Longshot El Kabeir, owned by Zayat Stables, the same people that owned Eskendereya, scratched the day before the Derby with a foot injury.

This year has seen few defections in the weeks leading up to the race, and handicappers have been hard at work with past performances (these courtesy of Brisnet). Below, a look at the expected field, with input from Michael Beychok, the 2012 National Handicapping Champion and a founder/partner of The Tournament Edge. His selections can be found on Brisnet.

Continue reading at Forbes.com for a horse by horse look at the expected field…