Who's looking for an elusive first Kentucky Derby victory?

The Kentucky Derby is the most important race for thoroughbreds in America, and every breeder, owner, trainer and jockey wants to win the Run for the Roses. But the Derby is the only race in our country with a 20-horse field, so every year there are also 19 sets of losing connections. The list of those who have never won is a long one.

Heading into the big race, 13 trainers, 14 jockeys, and all sires represented in the prospective field have yet to produce a Kentucky Derby winner. Here, let's take a look at the most noteworthy connections who are hoping to get that breakthrough score on May 4, with the list including some Hall of Famers and Eclipse Award winners.

“It’s no secret," said Richard Mandella, who trains likely favorite Omaha Beach. "It’s what every horseman dreams of. Owners dream of it. Trainers dream of it. Jockeys. Barn help. This is what it’s all about.”

Mandella, one of those Hall of Famers, is 15 years removed from saddling his last Kentucky Derby runner. His other five Derby starters all missed the board. Owner Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farms got close to winning the Derby twice, with Hard Spun in 2007 and Eight Belles the following year.

Florent Geroux picked up the mount on Roadster when Mike Smith opted to ride Omaha Beach. This Bob Baffert runner, who is likely to be the second betting choice, will give Geroux his best chance to win the Derby. In his three previous mounts, his top finish came in 2016 when Gun Runner -- who developed into Horse of the Year later in his career -- ran third.

The connections of Tacitus include the owner/breeder Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, Bill Mott and Jose Ortiz. Their combined record in the Derby is 16: 0-3-0. In 2002 and 2003, Juddmonte had consecutive seconds with Aptitude and then the favorite Empire Maker. The Hall of Fame trainer Mott has had eight starters without hitting the board. Hofburg’s seventh-place finish in 2018 marked Mott’s best. Eclipse Award winner Jose Ortiz already has four Derby starters as a young rider and a second last year with Good Magic.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. picks up the mount on Improbable after his brother Jose decided to stay on Tacitus. The elder sibling has had three Derby mounts, one less than Jose. Unlike his brother, he has yet to be a major contender with his best finish being a seventh on Hofburg last year.

For owners Gary and Mary West, it has been 14 years since their last Derby runner. They come to the 2019 Run for the Roses with Game Winner and Maximum Security, which makes them serious contenders. Their three previous Derby runners proved to be no threat to win.

Additionally, Maximum Security’s trainer, Jason Servis, saddled his first Derby runner last year when Firenze Fire finished 11th. His rider, Luis Saez, missed the board in six prior tries, with his best run a seventh on Buddy’s Cause in 2016.

A Hall of Fame nominee, Mark Casse has won a lot of big races in his career, but none of his six Derby starters has hit the board. His best finish came in 2017 when Classic Empire hit the wire fourth. War of Will appears to have recovered from his difficult Louisiana Derby, and he could get Casse that elusive victory if he returns to the form that produced two wins on the Derby trail.

Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who keeps the mount on Blue Grass Stakes winner Vekoma, knows just how difficult it is to navigate the big Derby field. Castellano has had just one third-place finish in 12 tries, and that came last year on Audible.

Out of all the winless Derby participants mentioned here, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has the had the most chances. With a record of 19: 0-2-2, Asmussen has been sending horses to the big race since 2001. He has had two runner-up finishes with Nehro in 2011 and Lookin At Lee in 2017. His hopes to take home the roses this year depend on Long Range Toddy.

The field also has several Kentucky Derby rookies who should not be dismissed, because plenty of first-time trainers and jockeys have been victorious. Brendan Walsh (Plus Que Parfait), Bret Calhoun (By My Standards), Danny Gargan (Tax), and Koichi Tsunoda (Master Fencer) are rookie trainers, along with debut rider Julien Pimentel (Win Win Win).