2011 Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 11

Who's hot

Todd Pletcher, who won last year’s Kentucky Derby, is the only trainer to land two horses on the inaugural top 20 of this year’s Derby Watch. Heading his duo is the unbeaten Uncle Mo, last year’s Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old, who is the 7-2 favorite on the current Derby line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper. Otherwise, the wealth is spread, with 18 other trainers represented.

Who's not

There are several prominent horses who did not make the cut, most notably Boys At Tosconova, who finished second to Uncle Mo in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He was forced to miss last month’s Holy Bull, and has done little to no training since, hence his omission.

On the bubble

Astrology won the Iroquois and was second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. His low Beyer Speed Figures kept him out of the top 20, but he would be among the first to move into the top 20 should any of those currently on the list drop out, because of injury or poor performance. Also waiting in the wings is The Factor, who set a six-furlong track record at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 but missed much of January because of sore feet. With the Robert Lewis, El Camino Real Derby, and Sam Davis all being run on Saturday, there are likely to be some alterations to the list one week from now.

DERBY WATCH: Top 20 contenders | Pressure to win Kentucky Derby turns to Asmussen