All the prep races have been run and the qualifying points doled out. Now, several connections have decisions to make before the field for Kentucky Derby 150 is set. Those decisions have to be finalized by April 27 when entries close and post positions are assigned for the $5 million Kentucky Derby. The field is limited to 20 starters, but as many as 24 horses may enter, with four carded as also-eligibles. Last year, 23 horses were entered and after scratches 18 ultimately went to post. The connections of Encino have a decision to make after their horse made a successful dirt debut, winning Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland in front-running fashion. That three-quarter-length victory over The Wine Steward, coupled with the news that No More Time, winner of the Sam F. Davis and runner-up in the Tampa Bay Derby, was injured in a workout Sunday, put Encino into the Derby field. The question is whether Godolphin Racing and trainer Brad Cox want to run back in three weeks or wait for the Preakness Stakes on May 18. Last year, Godolphin and Cox won the Lexington with First Mission. That horse did not have enough qualifying points to make the Derby, so the Preakness was always the plan. First Mission was scratched the day before the Preakness with an injury that kept him out until fall. Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Godolphin Racing, said a decision won’t be made on the Derby until after Encino goes back to the track. “He came out the race well, let’s see what he’s like when he gets back galloping and breezing,” Banahan said. “He keeps on improving each race, looks like he should fit [in the Derby]. We’ll certainly have a serious look at it, we won’t rush into a decision on it and we want to make sure the boss [Sheikh Mohammed] wants to head in that direction as well.” :: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more. If they decide to run, Encino would need a new rider. Florent Geroux, who rode Encino to victory in the Lexington, is expected to ride Just a Touch, the Blue Grass runner-up for Cox, in the Kentucky Derby. Among the riders without a Derby mount as of Monday were Jose Ortiz, Javier Castellano, Frankie Dettori, and Julien Leparoux. Horses without confirmed riders include Honor Marie, Society Man, and Catalytic. It is expected, though not official, that Junior Alvarado will pick up the mount on Wood Memorial winner Resilience. There are still decisions that need to be made by the connections of Deterministic and Endlessly. Deterministic, whose 50 points earned winning the Grade 3 Gotham would get him in the field, finished eighth in the Wood Memorial. It is not trainer Christophe Clement’s style to run back in a race like the Derby but no official decision has been made. Deterministic, who only jogged last week, according to Clement, is more likely, if all is well, to point to a race like the Peter Pan on May 11 at Aqueduct. Clement said Sunday he is only thinking about the well-being of Deterministic, not about a next race. Endlessly’s four-length victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks earned him enough points to get into the Derby. He has never raced on dirt, though he has been training on it at Churchill Downs. Trainer Michael McCarthy and owner John Amerman have the American Turf on the Derby undercard as an option as well. The likely defection of Deterministic would get Grand Mo the First into the field. Grand Mo the First, third in the Florida Derby and Tampa Bay Derby, worked Sunday at Gulfstream Park and will work again April 23 before shipping to Kentucky, trainer Victor Barboza Jr. told Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch. If Endlessly defects, that would open up a spot for Common Defense, the Grade 2 Rebel runner-up. Behind Common Defense on the points list, in order, are Epic Ride, Hades, Uncle Heavy, and Seize the Grey. Derby spots tend to open up due to injuries or illness to other horses. On Sunday, No More Time sustained a condylar fracture in his left foreleg while working out at Palm Meadows, a training center in South Florida, trainer Jose D’Angelo said. The horse was shipped to Ocala, Fla., where on Monday he was scheduled undergo surgery to repair the injury. “Our team at Morplay Racing is clearly devastated by the news, but we are thankful No More Time should be able to make a full recovery and be back on the track again soon,” Rich Mendez, the owner of No More Time and who races under the name Morplay Racing, wrote on his X page Sunday. :: Get the Inside Track with the FREE DRF Morning Line Email Newsletter. Subscribe now.  Meanwhile, Forever Young, the undefeated (5 for 5) winner of the U.A.E. Derby, arrived at Churchill on Saturday and galloped both Sunday and Monday. He is one of two Japan-based horses in the field. T O Password, the other, is expected to arrive on April 25 or 26. All horses must be on the grounds by 11 a.m. April 27, according to the conditions of the race. Stronghold, the Santa Anita Derby winner, is expected to work over the weekend at Santa Anita before shipping to Kentucky on April 23. He will have his final workout at Churchill, trainer Phil D’Amato said Monday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.