Kentucky Derby has 21 horses entered

Exercise rider George Alvarez takes Kentucky Derby entrant Bodemeister for a workout Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Twenty-one horses have been entered for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, one more than the maximum allowed field of 20.

The entry box closed Wednesday morning, with the draw to determine post positions set for later in the afternoon. The field is limited to the top 20 horses based on earnings in graded stakes races.

Leading the way is Bodemeister, the dominant winner of the Arkansas Derby and one of two horses in the field trained by Bob Baffert.

Todd Pletcher also will saddle two — Wood Memorial winner Gemologist and El Padrino.

Optimizer will be the record 45th Derby starter for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time winner of the race. The colt got into the field when Mark Valeski was withdrawn from consideration on Tuesday.

The 21st horse on the earnings list is My Adonis, an also eligible who would need a defection to get into the 1¼-mile race.