TRIPLE CROWN RATINGS

REMARKS: Three trainers running horses in the 113th Kentucky Derby Saturday have previously won the race.

Woody Stephens, who has Conquistarose, won the Derby with Cannonade in 1974 and Swale in 1984. LeRoy Jolley, who will be starting both Gulch and Leo Castelli Saturday, has also had two Derby winners--Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980. And Eddie Gregson, who saddled Gato Del Sol for his upset win at Churchill Downs in 1982, has another longshot in this year’s race, Candi’s Gold.

Gregson’s appearance with Candi’s Gold this year seems puzzling. Last year, when he had a horse with better credentials in Icy Groom, he didn’t want to run the horse. The owner went to the Derby anyway, with another trainer.

After winning a small stake at Santa Anita early last year, Icy Groom finished second to Snow Chief in the Santa Anita Derby, then ran fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland the week before the Kentucky Derby. That’s when Gregson decided that the Derby wasn’t right for Icy Groom, who justified his opinion by finishing eighth.

Now, here is Candi’s Gold, who has won two races in four starts in California, and finished second, 2 1/2 lengths behind War, in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland in his last start.

“What are you doing here?” Gregson was recently asked at Churchill Downs.

“I have 40 horses at Hollywood Park, but I’m spending a few weeks with this one horse in Kentucky,” Gregson said. “That should tell you what I think of him.”

Candi’s Gold, a Florida-bred son of Yukon and Holmgirl, ran his first race last July, finishing third at Hollywood Park. He hurt his shins in that race and was ready to return to action in December but then stomach problems delayed his return until February.

“If I didn’t think this horse had a chance, then I’d be nuts to be here,” Gregson said. “He lacks for experience running in a big field, but he should have no trouble going the mile and a quarter.”

Gato Del Sol paid $44.40 when he won the Derby for Gregson. If Candi’s Gold wins Saturday, his price would be about twice that much.

The field appears to be steady at 16 for the Derby, and the horses may be placed in these categories:

Those who have reasonable chances to win--Demons Begone, Cryptoclearance, Gulch, Leo Castelli, Masterful Advocate, Bet Twice.

Those who could win if the running of the race developed perfectly--War and Alysheba.

Those who are liked by their owners and trainers, but hardly anybody else--Capote, Shawklit Won, No More Flowers.

Those whose winning would prompt a grand jury investigation--On the Line, Conquistarose, Candi’s Gold, Templar Hill, Momentus.

Career Horse S 1 2 3 Earnings 1.Demons Begone 9 6 2 0 $573,394 2.Cryptoclearance 10 5 2 1 520,750 3.Masterful Advocate 9 5 2 1 536,425 4.Gulch 11 7 1 1 957,050 5.Bet Twice 10 6 0 1 814,046 6.Leo Castelli 6 2 1 0 124,993 7.Alysheba 10 1 5 2 423,026 8.Capote 6 3 0 0 709,130 9.War 12 4 2 2 304,108 10.Shawklit Won 8 2 2 3 203,794

Advisory panel for The Times’ Triple Crown Ratings: Lenny Hale, vice president for racing at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga; Frank (Jimmy) Kilroe, vice president for racing at Santa Anita; and Tommy Trotter, racing secretary at Gulfstream Park.