Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 6, 2013

WHO’S HOT

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the Kentucky Derby three years ago with Super Saver, landed seven of the 20 horses on the inaugural Derby Watch list for 2013, including Violence, whom Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper, installed as the ante-post favorite for the Derby at 6-1. Verrazano, Watchmaker’s second choice at 8-1, and Shanghai Bobby, the fifth choice on Watchmaker’s line at 12-1, also are trained by Pletcher. Three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert has three horses on the list, while four-time Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas has two, as do Doug O’Neill, who won the Derby last year, and Mark Casse.

WHO’S NOT

Some prominent 2-year-olds of 2012 – including Dewey Square, Frac Daddy, Fury Kapcori, and Power Broker – did not make the cut, owing to disappointing recent performances or questions over whether they will be ready in time for the May 4 Derby.

ON THE BUBBLE

There were several horses who just missed making the cut this week, most notably Palace Malice – yet another Pletcher trainee – who is scheduled to make his next start in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 23, and Fortify, scheduled to run in the UAE 2000 Guineas in Dubai on Feb. 14. Code West, Demonic, Honorable Dillon, Majestic Hussar, Tiz the Truth, and Treasury Bill are among the many also knocking on the door.

[DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list and videos | O'Neill hopes to join list of repeaters]