Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 23

WHO’S HOT

Maybe this should be “who’s lukewarm.” The newcomers – Vinceremos and Harry’s Holiday – are the two horses who ascended into the top 20 on points this week owing to a pair of defections. Both are 50-1 on the future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form ’s national handicapper, for the May 3 Kentucky Derby. Watchmaker lowered the odds on five horses, with Candy Boy, Dance With Fate, and Intense Holiday all going to 15-1 from last week’s 20-1 and both Medal Count and Ride On Curlin dropping to 20-1 from last week’s 30-1. California Chrome remains the 3-1 favorite.

[DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list | Maker flying into Kentucky Derby under radar]

WHO’S NOT

Cairo Prince, the co-fourth choice at 12-1 last week, was withdrawn because of injury, and Midnight Hawk, a 30-1 chance last week, was officially removed from the Derby following his second-place finish in the Illinois Derby last Saturday.

ON THE BUBBLE

Commanding Curve is 21st on the points list, so he’ll make the Derby field as soon as one of the horses in the top 20 comes out. Next up is Pablo Del Monte. The connections of both horses are eager to run in the Derby. Entries for the Derby are taken April 30, and posts are drawn that day from 5-6 p.m. during a live telecast on NBCSN. In addition to the 20 who make the field, up to four also-eligibles can be entered. They would have until scratch time, 9 a.m. on May 2, the day before the Derby, to draw in.