LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Craig Dollase walked Wilko 'round and 'round the barn, exercising the colt in a job most trainers leave to their stablehands. Dollase hopes the next place he leads Wilko is to the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby.

On Saturday, the 34-year-old trainer from Southern California will saddle his first Derby starter, a chestnut with more racing experience than any of the other 19 horses in the field.

Wilko will be making his 15th career start. By comparison, high-profile contenders Bellamy Road and Bandini will be running for the sixth time.

Bred in Kentucky, Wilko began his career in England, running his first 10 races on the turf. He's well traveled, too, having competed at eight English tracks and two in the United States.

"That's the kind of horse you want," Dollase said. "He's just a durable iron horse. He's won his share of races, he's very consistent. He's used to those big, full fields."

Wilko has finished in the money 11 times, but he's 0-for-2 this year. His last victory was in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in October in Texas, where he went off at 28-1 odds.

Going into that race, Dollase knew Wilko was being transferred to his barn from English trainer Jeremy Noseda.

"That was a lot of pressure put on me after he won, but it's good pressure to have," Dollase said.

More pressure is being heaped on Wilko even before he puts a hoof on the Churchill Downs track Saturday.

No Juvenile winner has won the Derby the following year since the Breeders' Cup began in 1984, lending credence to a so-called jinx. The best Derby finish for a Juvenile winner was third by Chief's Crown in 1984 and Timber Country 10 years later. Eight Juvenile winners never made it to the Derby.

"If the Boston Red Sox could do it, what jinx is there, right?" Dollase said. "Hopefully, he'll overcome it."

Wilko is a small colt, standing about 15 hands and weighing about 1,100 pounds; many of his rivals are about 17 hands and heavier.

"He's a little pocket rocket," Dollase said.

Wilko has taken up residence this week in the barn of Dollase's father, Wally, who trained Ten Most Wanted to a ninth-place finish in the 2003 Derby. This year's race has turned into a family affair, with the younger Dollase's father, mother, two sisters, wife and two daughters on hand.

Dollase's former brother-in-law, Corey Nakatani, will ride Wilko in the Derby. He became available when the filly Sweet Catomine was retired after the Santa Anita Derby, where Wilko finished a fast-closing third.

"He's still got a lot left to prove and he's got a lot left in the tank. He's really coming up to this race better than ever, fitnesswise, and no feet problems, knock on wood," Dollase said, tapping on a wooden saw horse.

Wilko had been plagued by cracks between the toe and heel of his hooves during the winter.

Despite being well-raced, Wilko still has some things to learn.

He likes to check out his surroundings too much, so he wears a white shadow roll on his head that restricts his sightlines. And he likes to loaf when he runs by himself in morning workouts.

To kill that habit, Dollase puts another horse in front of Wilko, giving the colt a target as he approaches the finish line.

"It's like a mental thing, letting the horse know that he's got to go on past the finish line and there's still more to do, you don't just quit at the wire," Dollase said. "We've changed his style around a little bit, but I'm pleased with how he's responded. We'll see if it works."

Others are watching, too. Todd Pletcher will saddle three Derby starters, including Bandini. But he's keeping an eye on Wilko.

"That horse looks like he wants to go 11/4 miles," Pletcher said. "He's a Breeders' Cup winner, and I thought a couple of his races at Santa Anita were sneaky. He's a horse no one is talking about. It wouldn't shock me if a horse like that stepped up and ran big."

Wilko is owned by Englishwoman Susan Roy (who owned 2002 Belmont Stakes winner Sarava, a 70-1 long shot) and native Canadian J. Paul Reddam, who purchased a 75-percent interest in the colt in October, shortly before he won the Juvenile.

"We're kind of flying under the radar, but we're quietly confident in our camp," Dollase said. "I wouldn't lead a horse over there if I didn't think I had a chance to win, and I think I have a big chance to win. We just need a little luck."