Derby Week in Equination.net is upon us with the annual running of the first jewel of the Triple Crown series taking place on Sunday. Yesterday, we took a brief look at the top contenders for the Equination.net Oaks (GI) - the first jewel of the Triple Tiara series for fillies - and the EQ.net Turf Marathon (GII). Here, we will take a look at the top contenders for the Equination.net Derby (GI).

The Equination.net Derby is the first and most prestigious of the three Triple Crown races. It takes place over a mile and a quarter on the dirt for three-year-olds and offers a purse of $1 Million. Here are some of the top contenders for this race!
Maximum Code MDm heads the field and comes here after making a huge improvement to earn a 124.5 rating in a Listed Stake. This was his first 120+ rating and he will likely be racing back to back off of that effort.
Merlot Cabernet finished second in the Silver Platter Stakes (GIII) with a career-best 124.8 rating last time out. He has since put in his best workout yet of 114.8 and looks ready to go.
Backtalk won last time out with an impressive career-best 126.8 rating. He has since put in two solid workout of 110.25 and 110.9 over a quarter mile and three furlongs from the gates respectively.
Charming Dalliance MD heads here off of a mediocre 111.15 rated second-place finish. He has since worked three furlongs with a rating of 111.15, though, showing he may be back on the path to 120 ratings.
Winner's Von Spritza mdf finished fifth in the Silver Platter Stakes (GIII) with a 123.5 rating, his best yet. He has since come out with a 123.25 rated third-place finish in a Listed Stake as well. The Derby will likely be this Equination.net Hopeful (GII) winner's third race back to back, though.
View Pedigree earned his career-best rating of 126.25 in his most recent start when he captured a listed stake. He will most likely be racing back to back off of that effort.
Jimmy Page comes here after putting in two 123+ rated efforts, most recently earning his career-best 124 rating when finishing second in a listed stake. He will likely be racing back to back off of that effort.

Good luck to all participants, handicappers and survivor players!