Updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just five days away.

Girlpower: The big news out of Churchill Downs on Monday once again involved a Todd Pletcher trainee - but this time, he was adding one to the arsenal. A day after announcing expected favorite Eskendereya would miss the Derby due to injury. Pletcher said filly Devil May Care, who would likely have been among the favorites in the Kentucky Oaks, will contest the Derby. Owner John Greathouse, who races under the Glencrest Farm banner, and Pletcher had been considering cross-entering Devil May Care in the Oaks, which draws post positions on Tuesday, and the Derby, which takes entries and draws on Wednesday. They then would have run the filly in whatever race she drew the more favorable post in, scratching out of the other. The move is perfectly legal, but would have kept another contender out of the race she scratched out of, since both races are likely to be oversubscribed. There is no also-eligible list for either the Derby, limited to 20 horses based on graded stakes earnings, or the Oaks, limited to 14 starters. Pletcher indicated that Greathouse's preference was to enter the Derby only. The defection of Eskendereya was a deciding factor in choosing to run Devil May Care; not only did the withdrawal open the race up a bit more for the other contenders, it also made Pletcher's first-call rider, Johnny Velazquez, available to ride the filly. Fillies in the Derby have a combined record of 39-3-2-5, with the three winners being Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988. Females have taken the Preakness or Belmont, the other two Triple Crown events, a combined eight times - including Rachel Alexandra's Preakness victory last year. Ironically, the only winner of a Triple Crown event for either Pletcher or Velazquez came with a filly - Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont, who outdueled eventual Horse of the Year Curlin to become the first female in 102 years to win the race. Devil May Care, who broke her maiden at Saratoga, owns victories in the Frizette and the Bonnie Miss.

On the bubble: Pletcher also said Monday that multiple stakeswinner Rule, owned by WinStar Farm, will pass on the Derby. Nothing is physically amiss with the son of Roman Ruler, but the connections weren't pleased with the way the colt has trained since a third-place finish in the Florida Derby. The defection leaves NYRA leading rider Ramon Dominguez without a mount for the time being. The defection of Rule allows Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial runner-up Jackson Bend into the field, giving Nick Zito two entries in the Run for the Roses. Mike Smith has the call on the colt. Next on the bubble to get in should there be another defection is Bashford Manor and Sanford winner Backtalk, who would be ridden by Miguel Mena. It seems likely he'll get in, as another Pletcher colt, Interactif, has been deemed "unlikely" for the race. Although the colt worked four furlongs in a bullet :47.60 Monday morning, his best performances have come on turf and synthetics. A final decision on the colt's status is expected Tuesday.

Feeling lucky: Eclipse champion Lookin at Lucky, expected to inherit Derby favoritism, looked the part when going five furlongs in 1:00.80 in the mud on Monday morning. His final Derby drill was tied for the best at the distance. Going in company, the half-brother to Kensei moved through early splits of :12, :24.20, :36 and :48.20, galloping out in 1:15.20. Trainer Bob Baffert was pleased with the work and also added that his other hopeful, Conveyance, is slated to work Tuesday morning.

Good to go: A crucial work Monday morning for Noble's Promise, attempting to round back into form after emerging from a poor Arkansas Derby effort with a lung issue, went very well. The colt went a half in company in a brisk :48.80 (with each quarter mile an identical :24.20). After the work, he scoped clean back at Ken McPeek's barn and appears ready to go. Jockey Willie Martinez, who rode the colt to victory in the Breeders' Futurity last fall, was aboard for the work and will have the mount in the Derby.

Not so good: Arkansas Derby winner Line of David gave mixed signals in his work Monday morning. The colt broke off through solid early splits of :11.80, :23.60, :35.60, :48.20 and 1:01.20, but tired down the lane and needed encouragement to finish the six furlong drill in 1:15. Trainer John Sadler was displeased with the work and said the colt didn't handle the hard, sealed track well.

The lion's share: Illinois Derby winner American Lion worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 on Monday morning. The colt went in splits of :12.60, :25.40 and :37.60, galloping out in 1:16.40.

Oaks watch: With Devil May Care headed to the Derby, Velazquez likely picks up the mount on Pletcher's Ailalea. Beautician worked a half in :49.20, galloping out five furlongs in 1:03. The filly returned to the barn with some superficial scrapes on a hind leg. Joanie's Catch boarded a van from Calder on Monday bound for Churchill Downs and will arrive Tuesday. Trainer Dale Romans said Sassy Image, a two-time stakeswinner at Churchill last year, will pass on the race.

Notes: In final Derby moves, Awesome Act is scheduled to work Tuesday and Endorsement will have an easy breeze on Wednesday. ... A day after turning in his final work, Dublin schooled in the paddock Monday.