Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 13, 2022

WHO’S HOT

A new favorite, and a prominent newcomer, are the most significant updates to this week’s Derby Watch top 20. Zandon, winner of the Blue Grass, has moved into the favorite’s role on the line of Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee for the Kentucky Derby on May 7. He is down to 4-1 after being 15-1 a week ago, and he has supplanted Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter as the favorite. Taiba, winner of the Santa Anita Derby, moves onto the list and is the co-third choice at 8-1 along with his Tim Yakteen-trained stablemate, Messier, whose odds were lowered from last week’s 12-1 after he finished second in the Santa Anita Derby. Mo Donegal, the Wood Memorial winner, had his price cut in half, to 10-1 from last week’s 20-1. In Due Time, returning to the list, and Summer Is Tomorrow, new to the list, are both 50-1.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

WHO’S NOT

Emmanuel and Forbidden Kingdom were removed from Derby consideration and are thus off the list, and even though Morello is still technically in, the Derby Watch executive committee is expecting him to eventually be routed elsewhere and thus he was removed from the list following the Wood Memorial. Because of the significant adjustment in odds for Zandon, and Taiba coming in at such a short price, McGee had to raise prices on a number of horses, including Epicenter (now 5-1 from 4-1), White Abarrio (10-1 from 6-1), Smile Happy (15-1 from 8-1), Cyberknife (15-1 from 10-1), Simplification (20-1 from 12-1), Zozos (doubled to 30-1 from 15-1), Barber Road (30-1 from 20-1), and Tiz the Bomb (up to 30-1 from last week’s 20-1).

ON THE BUBBLE

The Lexington on Saturday at Keeneland is the final points-scoring race, so after Saturday the Derby Watch list largely will mirror the points list. In Due Time needs to win to be assured of being in the top 20. Happy Jack and Pioneer of Medina are just outside the cutoff point at the moment.