The Florida path to the Kentucky Derby gets underway this afternoon with the running of the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, as nine colts go a mile.

Headlining the field is the intriguing prospect Jackson Bend. The colt has won five straight races, at up to a mile and a sixteenth, and swept a set of ungraded events in the Florida Stallion Stakes. In doing so, he defeated highly regarded New York stakeswinner D'Funnybone and the speedy Thank U Philippe, who he meets again today. Following his win in the In Reality Stakes, Jackson Bend was purchased by Robert LaPenta and transferred to Nick Zito; the colt makes his first start for the New York-based trainer today and breaks from the nine under Jeremy Rose, who also rides him for the first time.

Grade I winner Homeboykris drew post 2 under Edgar Prado. The son of Roman Ruler upset a well-regarded field to take the Champagne at Belmont. However, he was a distant fifth in the Remsen last time out behind Buddy's Saint.

Several other starters haven't broken through in a stakes yet but have shown promise. Todd Pletcher sends out Aikenite under regular rider Johnny Velazquez; the colt was third in the Hopeful at Saratoga, second in the Breeders' Futurity and a troubled fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He breaks from the eight. Piscitelli drew the four under Kent Desormeaux; the colt set the pace in the Juvenile and finished fourth, beaten less than a length by winner Vale of York. Winslow Homer broke his maiden at Saratoga, then won an allowance by more than a dozen lengths in Philadelphia. He gets NYRA leading rider Ramon Dominguez and breaks from post 6.

Thank U Philippe, who was also second to Buddy's Saint in the Nashua, is expected to set the pace; he gets blinkers on and leaves from the rail under Eddie Castro. Litigation Risk (Alan Garcia, post 3), William's Kitten (Julien Leparoux, post 5) and Wild Lime (Jose Lezcano, post 7) complete the field.

The Florida route to the Derby, which continues with the Fountain of Youth Feb. 20 and the Florida Derby March 20, has been a successful one in recent years, sending Barbaro in 2006 and Big Brown in 2008 to Derby victory.

Meanwhile in Louisiana, a big field of 11 will face off in the Grade III, $100,000 Lecomte at the Fair Grounds. The Louisiana series continues with the Risen Star on Feb. 20 and the Louisiana Derby March 27.

The morning-line favorite for the LeComte is Citrus Kid, who won the Dover Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth and finished third in the Remsen behind Buddy's Saint. He breaks from the five under Miguel Mena.

Maximus Ruler breaks from the rail under Francisco Torres. The colt has shown promise, finishing a troubled third in his debut before scoring in a mile allowance at Churchill Downs.

Turf Melody (Jose Valdivia, post 2) is the only three-time winner in the field, including the Springboard Mile Stakes. Worldly (Robby Albarado, post 3) is a full brother to the multiple stakeswinner Suave; he finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club behind Super Saver last fall.

Not all the stakes action today is for 3-year-olds, however. Earlier at the Fair Grounds, two horses who were on the Derby trail last year meet in the Louisiana Handicap. Friesan Fire and General Quarters are each making the first start of their 4-year-old campaigns and just the second start off injuries both suffered in the Preakness. Friesan Fire, who won the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby last spring, was third in an allowance optional claiming event in his comeback Dec. 3. General Quarters, who won the Blue Grass last April, was second under similar conditions on Dec. 26.

Elsewhere, Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Dancing in Silks will make his 2010 debut in the Grade II Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita. The California track is resuming racing today after storms that forced the cancellation of three cards this week.