Forget the Kentucky Derby. For real excitement, take five of the best bass pros in the world, put them within 24 points of one another in the Angler of the Year (AOY) race and send them out to do battle in tough conditions -- with 145 of their peers -- in the last tournament of the season. You think the pressure's on? You better believe it.

BassFans have already seen what Davy Hite thinks about the B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year (AOY) race and the pressure. For opinions from the other four possible winners, read on.

Larry Nixon

Not only is Larry Nixon fishing so well it's scary, his last AOY win was in 1982. That means if he wins it this year, he sets a new record: 20 years between AOY wins. (Jimmy Houston owns the record now: 10 years, 1976 and 1986.)

"I'd love to set a record," Nixon said. "It's good to be in that kind of race this time of year. I have the Classic made and would like to win AOY again. It's been a while since I've been in contention for it."

Why is he fishing so well? "It's attitude, more of a mental thing -- dealing with the mental problems and everything else that goes with doing this for 26 years," he said. "It's a rededication to the commitment to catch fish."

Mark Davis

Mark Davis couldn't be reached before the competition started, but here are the facts: he is the reigning AOY, finished 38th in the point standings in 2000, 15th in 1999 and won it in 1998 (and 1995).

If you think he isn't gunning for the win, there's a bridge in Brooklyn with your name on it.

Kevin VanDam

"It's going to be an interesting race, without a doubt," said Kevin VanDam. "Any one of the Top 5 guys could pull it out. Davy won't squeak by without a good finish. Whoever has a Top 5 or wins will be the guy."

VanDam said his "total focus" for the Eufaula tournament is to try to win AOY. "I've tried to practice toward that goal. I know I have to do really well in this tournament to have a shot."

As a result VanDam said he will "fish differently" and will "take more chances," partly because he's in the Classic already."

VanDam has three AOY wins and multiple runner-ups. In the last three years he was runner-up in 2001, runner-up in 2000 and won in 1999.

Tim Horton

"I think Larry and Davy are the strong front-runners" in the AOY race, Tim Horton said. "If they both have a tough tournament, my chances are better because Mark and Kevin are within 10 points of me.

"But if (Hite and Nixon) have a strong start (at Eufaula), it will be tough. It's unlikely for both of them to stumble. The good thing is that I already have the Classic made and can fish (Eufaula) to win."

Horton won B.A.S.S. AOY his rookie year (2002, a record) and was 28th at the end of the season last year. A win this year would give him an unprecedented two AOY wins in three years on the BASSMASTER Tour.