Brad Free's Santa Anita Derby rankings - Jan. 20

Tapizar demolished four rivals Jan. 15 in the Sham, earning a 97 Beyer while propelled by the bias. Making his first start since Nov. 27, the Steve Asmussen trainee confirmed his status as one of the elite 3-year-olds in California even while racing greenly off the turn. Tapizar will remain at Santa Anita and aim for the Santa Anita Derby on April 9.

Sham runner-up Clubhouse Ride, with only one work since a troubled third in the Hollywood Futurity, ran super. Fourth of five early, he made a mid-race move into second but was unable to overcome the bias. A son of Candy Ride, he will stay ranked above Tapizar even though trainer Craig Lewis will consider shipping Clubhouse Ride to a surface on which closers have a fair shot.

Comma to the Top maintains his top ranking; there is no change among the top five Derby candidates. There is shuffling in the bottom five, however. The Factor drops a couple of notches because of inactivity, and Anthony's Cross drops off the list after a distant third in the Sham. Grade 1 winner Jaycito has returned to the work tab and moves up a couple notches, and Sinai enters the list after a better-than-looked third in the San Pedro.

SANTA ANITA DERBY RANKINGS

1. Comma to the Top
2. Clubhouse Ride
3. Tapizar
4. J P's Gusto
5. Indian Winter
6. Awesome Patriot
7. Jaycito
8. The Factor
9. Astrology
10. Sinai