It's that time of year again! Each year, I run a little free contest on my page celebrating the Kentucky Derby with commissions as prizes!

The Kentucky Derby is easily the most recognizable horse-race in the world, bringing together racers from all over the world for an exciting 2-minute sprint at the historic Churchhill Downs in Kentucky. Mint Juleps and fancy hats abound! Its worth a watch in its own right, but TF makes it even better, you'll find. The rules are pretty simple. Pick the winning horse for the May 5th race, win a prize!

I've been pretty bad about setting this event up long enough in advance, so this year we're going to get out ahead of that particular horse (Pun very much intended). Each year, about 20 horses run in the historic "Run for the Roses", and this year, I'm aiming to fill ALL the post positions! The more people who enter, the more prize slots will open up and the more chances to win! Last year we filled ALL 20 slots! Can we do it again?! So please, spread the word and let's make this the biggest Derby event yet!

Rules of Play:

Leading up to the Kentucky Derby, contestants will each choose 1 horse from the presented list of 20 participating horses.
There are sometimes more horses in the race, but 20 is usually the most stable estimate, so it cuts off at 20.
Only 1 "rider" to a horse. Once its been picked, its out of the selection pool.
I have not posted the post-list yet, because the lineup fluctuates wildly in the leadup to the actual race.
For simplicity, since the race a few positions may change dramatically without warning, each player is assigned to the initial post position, rather than the actual horse (As of May 5th)
If your horse is removed before the race, send me a note. If available, you may select another horse. If no horse is available, you will be paired up on another horse, selected at random by rolling a 20 sided die.
The player who selects the winning horse wins a prize
If no one selects the winning horse, the second place horse is treated as winner. This continues down the line until all winners are selected.
As I mentioned, the more slots that are taken the more prize slots open up. Here is the tentative list. Suggestions for higher prize brackets welcome!
5 Entries
First Place: One-Shot full colour commission of a single character. In keeping with the derby theme, this should be equine or derby themed. (E.G. horses, centaurs, equitaurs, MLP or just involving the race in some way, like a character in a fancy hat.
10 Entries
First Place: One Free Full Colour commission of a single character. No Restrictions
Second Place: One-Shot full colour commission of a single character. In keeping with the derby theme, this should be equine or derby themed. (E.G. horses, centaurs, equitaurs, MLP or just involving the race in some way, like a character in a fancy hat.
15 Entries
First Place: One 3 Stage Full colour commission of a single character. In keeping with the derby theme, this should be equine or derby themed. (E.G. horses, centaurs, equitaurs, MLP or just involving the race in some way, like a character in a fancy hat)
Second Place: One Page Full Colour commission of a single character. No Restrictions
Third Place: One Page Full colour commission of a single character. In keeping with the derby theme, this should be equine or derby themed. (E.G. horses, centaurs, equitaurs, MLP or just involving the race in some way, like a character in a fancy hat)
20 Entries
First Place: One 3 Stage Full colour commission of a single character. No restrictions.
Second Place: One 3 Stage Full colour commission of a single character. In keeping with the derby theme, this should be equine or derby themed. (E.G. horses, centaurs, equitaurs, MLP or just involving the race in some way, like a character in a fancy hat)
Third Place: One Page Full Colour commission of a single character. No Restrictions
Fourth Place: One Page Full colour commission of a single character. In keeping with the derby theme, this should be equine or derby themed. (E.G. horses, centaurs, equitaurs, MLP or just involving the race in some way, like a character in a fancy hat
Post-Time is Saturday, May 5th. The morning of the 5th is the cutoff for entry.

Available slots (Horses subject to change as the Derby draws closer)

1. Magnum Moon http://www.furaffinity.net/user/nekona/
2. Good Magic Thegamingcentaur (Deviantart)
3. Audible http://www.furaffinity.net/user/raichumorph4/
4. Noble Indy http://www.furaffinity.net/user/alftheotter
5. Vino Rosso http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kriegerstein/
6. Bolt d'Oro Yarlith (Deviantart)
7. Enticed http://www.furaffinity.net/user/doomreaver/
8. Mendelssohn http://www.furaffinity.net/user/eduartboudewijn/
9. Justify http://www.furaffinity.net/user/platinumman/
10. Flameaway http://www.furaffinity.net/user/rapier-the-dragon/
11. Solomini daisu1 (Deviantart)
12. Bravazo http://www.furaffinity.net/user/jkrolak
13. My Boy Jack http://www.furaffinity.net/user/laeroninkheart/
14. Promises Fulfilled cqmorrell (Deviantart)
15. Free Drop Billy Mattkind (Deviantart)
16. Lone Sailor http://www.furaffinity.net/user/hexen109/
17. Hofburg Biglion2013
18. Firenze Fire http://www.furaffinity.net/user/ivanks/
19. Combatant http://www.furaffinity.net/user/srgntdrew/
20. Instilled Regard http://www.furaffinity.net/user/sonicinterface