Brad Free's Santa Anita Derby rankings - Feb. 5

The fastest 3-year-old in California is off the Santa Anita Derby list. The Factor set a track record Dec. 26, when he ran six furlongs in 1:06.98, but the Baffert-trained colt did not have a published work for at least three weeks following a five-furlong breeze Jan. 9. A recent comment by Baffert regarding The Factor and the Kentucky Derby suggested the colt may point in a different direction. "I will not fry him to make the Derby," Baffert said.

Astrology was absent from the tab through January; trainer Steve Asmussen said the Grade 3 Iroquois winner is close to a workout. Astrology, by A.P. Indy, gained seasoning at 2 by winning 2 of 5, and Asmussen is not concerned entering February without a workout. "He's so physically talented, and he's [already] had two two-turn races." Astrology's comeback is to be determined. "It's all calendar and timing," Asmussen said.

Jockey Martin Pedroza will keep the mount on San Pedro winner Indian Winter when he runs Feb. 20 in the Grade 2, seven-furlong San Vicente. J P's Gusto, runner-up in the Hollywood Futurity, was slated at No. 4 in the rankings but now also drops off. He was set to shorten to one turn in the San Vicente, but will be transferred from trainer David Hofmans to Joe Petalino in Arkansas to run in the Southwest, the trainers said on Friday. Jaycito moves up the list; winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes, Jaycito was up to five furlongs in his works as of Jan. 31.

The local Derby season picks up steam Feb. 12 with the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita and El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. Tapizar is expected to start favored in the Lewis; Clubhouse Ride was pointing for that race but will await either the San Felipe or Sunland Derby in March. CashCall Futurity winner Comma to the Top was aiming for the El Camino.

Grade 1-placed Riveting Reason re-enters the list after he worked five furlongs on Jan. 27. He is trained by Myung Kwon Cho, whose unbeaten Hollywood Prevue winner Premier Pegasus also posted his first comeback work, a half-mile on Jan. 28.

SANTA ANITA DERBY RANKINGS

1. Comma to the Top
2. Clubhouse Ride
3. Tapizar
4. Indian Winter
5. Jaycito
6. Awesome Patriot
7. Sinai
8. Astrology
9. Riveting Reason