Lukas is still hoping Optimizer makes the Derby field (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

Bluegrass Hall LLC's homebred Optimizer, most recently ninth in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, is still being pointed to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

With $184,708 in graded stakes earnings, Optimizer currently is number 24 on the graded stakes earnings list and, because the Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 starters, he will need a few defections to get in the Derby starting gate. Optimizer is nominated to the Grade 3, $200,000 Derby Trial at Churchill on April 28, and a win in that race could safely place him in the top 20. However, Lukas noted the race is not currently under consideration.

"We're not planning on going in the Derby Trial," the conditioner said. "We'll either go with what we've got (graded stakes earnings) or we won't go at all."

Prior to his run in the Arkansas Derby, Optimizer finished full of run when second to Secret Circle in the Grade 2 Rebel on March 17. Lukas expected the bay son of English Channel to improve off that effort.

Bodemeister tried out Churchill's main track on Wednesday (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

John Oxley's Prospective, sixth in the Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 14, galloped 1 1/2 miles at Churchill Downs prior to the renovation break Wednesday morning. Assistant trainer Norman Casse confirmed via text that Prospective will start in Kentucky Derby 138 and Luis Contreras will have the mount.

Zayat Stables LLC's Bodemeister, runaway winner of the Arkansas Derby on April 14, visited the Churchill Downs track for the first time Wednesday morning to continue his preparations for the Kentucky Derby. The bay son of Empire Maker jogged a mile under Peter Hutton, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert.

"Bodemeister was feeling good this morning," Hutton said. "He was very strong."

Stablemate and Peachtree Stables colorbearer Mamma Kimbo, who is headed to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks one day prior to the Derby, also visited the Churchill Downs oval Wednesday. Winner of the Grade 2 Fantasy at Oaklawn on April 11, the undefeated Discreet Cat filly galloped a mile under Hutton.