Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Wednesday, Feb. 22

WHO’S HOT

There’s a new favorite on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker – Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper – plus three newcomers to the Derby Watch top 20. McCraken is now the 5-1 favorite, down from last week’s 6-1, switching prices with Classic Empire, who is now the second choice. New to the top 20 are Epicharis, One Liner, and Petrov. One Liner is 15-1 on Watchmaker’s line following his victory in the Southwest Stakes. Petrov, second in the Southwest, is 25-1. The unbeaten Epicharis is 30-1 after moving to the top of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby points list with his victory in the Hyacinth at Tokyo last weekend.

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WHO’S NOT

Always Dreaming, Uncontested, and Wild Shot were dropped from the top 20. Always Dreaming and Wild Shot didn’t do anything wrong, they were just the last two on Watchmaker’s future line last week and were supplanted by newcomers this week. They certainly could move back on in the coming weeks. Uncontested is off the list after fading to sixth in the Southwest.

ON THE BUBBLE

The lone race offering qualifying points this week is the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Local Hero and Untrapped are the most prominent runners who could move onto the list with a strong performance.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays, and analysis