Derby Watch rankings for Feb. 24

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WHO'S HOT: Todd Pletcher, the nation's Eclipse Award-winning trainer the past two years, had the most nominees to this year's Triple Crown, and has the most representation on the inaugural top 25 of Derby Watch, with three runners, including two of the top six choices in Bluegrass Cat and Keyed Entry. Both Steve Asmussen, whose best prospect is Private Vow, and Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner, have a pair of runners.

WHO'S NOT: It has been a rough go this year for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time winner of the Derby. Lukas has no 3-year-old males of any consequence. Folklore, his champion filly of last year and one of only two fillies nominated to the Triple Crown, lost her only start this year and is now getting a lengthy vacation. And Lukas has won with just 2 of 44 starters at Santa Anita.

ON THE BUBBLE: Cause to Believe, the El Camino Real Derby winner, is knocking on the door. He has yet to be nominated to the Triple Crown, but there is a second, costlier deadline next month, so he can still be made eligible if he continues to progress. The postponed Southwest Stakes, which is now scheduled to be run on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, might produce some new candidates. Doctor Decherd is making a run for the Borderland Derby at Sunland Park on Sunday. Now, if there was ever a race Taco Bell parent Yum! should sponsor, that's it.