Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 10 days away.

Musical riders: Calvin Borel, winner of three of the last four Derbies, has finally secured a mount, booking the spot aboard Sunland Park Derby winner Twice The Appeal. Ironically, Borel's second Derby winner, Mine That Bird, also came into Kentucky off the Sunland route. Borel's agent, Jerry Hissam, said that they turned down the chance to ride Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go earlier this week. With just 10 days remaining to the Derby, and few mounts still open, a number of leading riders could be left out. Hall of Famers Edgar Prado and Kent Desormeaux, both previous Derby winners, are without confirmed mounts, as are top riders Garret Gomez, Javier Castellano and Rafael Bejarano. The choicest mount still available would be European hopeful Master of Hounds.

Bubble watch: El Camino Real Derby Silver Medallion has been taken out of Derby consideration even if he gets in, says trainer Steve Asmussen, who wants to freshen the colt after two races in 14 days. Silver Medallion had been sitting 21st on the graded stakes earnings list. His defection moves Anthony's Cross, fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, into the bubble spot. The colt will work in California on Sunday.

Weather watch: A record amount of rain has fallen in Louisville in April, more than 11 inches. The area is expected to get a break tomorrow, with sunny skies Friday and into Saturday evening, when Churchill will hold its opening card. The early forecast calls for occasional rain during Derby week; the Kentucky Oaks, on Friday, could potentially be run in the slop, but hopefully, following two years of mud, the track will be fast come Derby time.

New voice: Monmouth Park announcer Larry Collmus will take over as the voice of the Triple Crown for NBC Sports.

Notes: Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire and third-place finisher Mucho Macho Man both went out for spirited gallops over the sloppy Churchill Downs track. ... Eclipse champion Uncle Mo ate up and was in good order following yesterday's work. ... Spiral runner-up Decisive Moment and Twice The Appeal are both expected to breeze Friday. … Entries for the Derby will close at 10 a.m. on May 4, a week from today, with the draw taking place at 5 p.m. that night.