LEXINGTON, Ky. -- One year ago at this time, trainer John Ward Jr. was certain he had a colt good enough to win the Kentucky Derby. All he wanted in the final prep for the Derby was a good, encouraging race, but nothing so gut-wrenching it would sap his colt's strength on Derby Day.

The plan worked to perfection with Monarchos. He was a rallying second in the Wood Memorial, then ran the race of his life in the Derby.

One year later, Ward has a different Derby prospect, and an entirely different scenario. Whereas Monarchos had won the Florida Derby prior to the Wood, Booklet heads into his final Derby prep following a fourth-place finish in the Florida Derby. And because Booklet's front-running style is far more effective here at Keeneland than Aqueduct, Ward, who is based at a private barn across the street from Keeneland, is leaving Booklet here for Saturday's $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes.

About the only thing Monarchos and Booklet have in common is that they are both owned by John Oxley. Booklet, much smaller than Monarchos and with a style of running more questionable for 1 1/4 miles, is "a different animal," Ward said. As a result, the Derby is more an afterthought than the focus of Booklet's campaign this spring.

"Mr. Oxley and I circled the Blue Grass as our primary goal," Ward said. "We're taking it one race at a time. We don't want to go to the Derby unless we're sure he has a chance. And we can't make that decision until after the weekend."

Booklet should have an excellent chance in the Blue Grass. There is one other speed horse in the race, Bob's Image, but the pace battle doesn't figure to be as fierce as the one in the Florida Derby. Booklet, hounded by Smooth Jazz in the Florida Derby, set fractions of 22.47 seconds and 45.36 seconds for the first half-mile of a 1 1/8-mile race. He still held on to finish fourth.

"We dodged a bullet," said Ward, who was concerned the demanding effort would take a severe toll on Booklet. "Any time you can go that fast early and still finish, it's a positive. I also think he displaced his soft palate around the three-eighths pole, and couldn't get his air."

Booklet had a productive meet at Gulfstream Park. Before the Florida Derby, he won both the Fountain of Youth and Holy Bull, beating Harlan's Holiday both times. Since arriving in Kentucky, Booklet has "brightened up," Ward said.

"Florida was very warm and humid," Ward said. "The cooler weather here has helped him. He's put on weight."

Oxley purchased Booklet privately after Booklet won four of his first five starts. At the time, Oxley and Ward said they were merely buying a horse they could have fun with. They were not buying a horse with strictly the Derby in mind. The Derby as an end - all is a mind-set that Oxley and Ward have left to others. Bobby Frankel, on behalf of owner Ed Gann, bought Labamta Babe and Medaglia d'Oro and also pursued Request for Parole and Perfect Drift. Bob Baffert, seemingly out of Derby contenders, on Wednesday was trying to buy Illinois Derby winner War Emblem.

Oxley and Ward have stuck with what they have, and they're content with their lot. If Booklet turns out to be a Derby runner, they will be thrilled. And if he doesn't, they will sleep soundly.

"At least," Ward said, laughing, "I've got a box for Derby Day regardless of whether