Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 17, 2019

WHO’S HOT

Country House earned enough points via his third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby to leap into the top 20 on points, earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby field, and thus return to the Derby Watch top 20. He is a 50-1 shot on the line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper. Game Winner remains the favorite and is down to 5-1 from last week’s 6-1, with Omaha Beach and Roadster co-second choices at 6-1. Omaha Beach was 10-1 a week ago, prior to his win in the Arkansas Derby. War of Will is down to 20-1 from last week’s 30-1, and Plus Que Parfait is 30-1 after being 50-1 a week ago.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Mike Watchmaker

WHO’S NOT

Bodexpress got knocked out of the top 20 on points by Country House and thus was removed from the list, but he’s the first to move back in if there is a defection from the top 20. With all the preps now complete, the Derby Watch list will be entirely driven by who’s in and who’s out. Long Range Toddy, 15-1 last week, is now 30-1 after finishing sixth in the Arkansas Derby.

ON THE BUBBLE

Signalman, Anothertwistafate, Sueno, and Bourbon War are next on the points list after Bodexpress, hoping to find a way in. A maximum of 20 can run in the Derby, but up to four also-eligibles are allowed at entry time on April 30, and those horses would have until the morning of May 3 – the day before the Derby – to scratch into the race. After that, the doors close.