2012 Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 25

WHO’S HOT
Ahmed Zayat. He sold a piece of Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister on Wednesday, taking some money off the table while retaining the majority share in the favorite for the Kentucky Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs. Bodemeister is the 9-2 favorite on the Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper. The only horse added to the list this week is the speedy Trinniberg, who is a 50-1 shot on Watchmaker’s line.

WHO’S NOT
Secret Circle, the Arkansas Derby runner-up, was removed from consideration for the Derby, so he was dropped from the top 20.

ON THE BUBBLE
Optimizer is one defection away from joining the Derby field. He is essentially 21st on the graded stakes earnings list, since Hero of Order – who has far more graded cash – was not nominated to the Triple Crown. So, in effect, Hero of Order is at the back of the line. Hero of Order still could run, though. He needs to be supplemented, for $200,000, before entry time Wednesday. And though Hero of Order cannot knock out any horse who was nominated to the Triple Crown, remember that there are four also-eligibles allowed for this year’s Derby, and there might not be 24 entrants Wednesday.

[DERBY WATCH: Top 20 contenders | Jay Privman's Derby notebook]