Kentucky Derby 2021: Who's hot, who's not for March 31
WHO’S HOT
The top two finishers from the Florida Derby and the Jeff Ruby Steaks, who earned 100 points for first and 40 for second in each of those races, vaulted onto the Derby Watch top 20, which by necessity becomes more and more points-driven as Derby Day approaches. Known Agenda, the Florida Derby winner, is 12-1 on the line of Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee for the May 1 Kentucky Derby, making him the sixth choice. Soup and Sandwich, the Florida Derby runner-up, is 30-1. Like the King and Sainthood, one-two in the Jeff Ruby, are both 50-1. Concert Tour is now the second choice, at 5-1 from last week’s 6-1, behind favored Essential Quality. Medina Spirit (was 12-1, now 10-1), and Prevalence (was 30-1, now 20-1) both moved lower prior to their final Derby preps Saturday.
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
WHO’S NOT
Four horses had to be removed to make way for the four newcomers. Two tosses were obvious, as both Collaborate and Spielberg failed to earn points in the Florida Derby. But the other two were difficult, because they did absolutely nothing wrong. Keepmeinmind was dropped, but he’ll get a chance to move right back onto the list when he starts in the Blue Grass. O Besos also was removed because his 25 points figure to be leapfrogged by several horses racing this weekend. Greatest Honour, the second choice last week at 7-2, is now the fourth choice at 8-1 after finishing third in the Florida Derby.
ON THE BUBBLE
The point values of the Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby, and Wood Memorial on Saturday can benefit lightly raced horses who are in need of points, including Hidden Stash and Hush of a Storm in the Blue Grass; Dream Shake, Rock Your World, and Roman Centurian in the Santa Anita Derby, and Brooklyn Strong in the Wood. The top two finishers in the United Arab Emirates Derby – Rebel’s Romance and Panadol – are both absent from the list because their participation is unlikely, but they would go onto the list immediately if they become intended starters because they have the points.
– Jay Privman