Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 24, 2019

WHO’S HOT

The hot-stove debate regards who will be favored in this year’s Kentucky Derby. Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper, has Game Winner slightly favored at 5-1, but with both Omaha Beach and Roadster right behind at 6-1, the margin obviously is razor thin between those three. Improbable, at 8-1, is the only other horse Watchmaker has in single digits. All four of those runners were based this winter at Santa Anita, and three of the four are trained by Bob Baffert.

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

WHO’S NOT

There were no alterations to the Derby Watch top 20 list from a week ago. The top 19 on points plus Japanese invader Master Fencer are all still in. Anothertwistafate, who had been 23rd on the points list, was removed from consideration on Tuesday. If there had been no defections between now and entry day next Tuesday, at best, Anothertwistafate would have been one of four also-eligibles. Instead, he’s heading to the Preakness.

ON THE BUBBLE

Bodexpress, Signalman, Sueno, and Bourbon War are next on the points list, with Sueno and Bourbon War moving up a slot owing to the defection of Anothertwistafate. A maximum of 20 can run in the Derby, but up to four also-eligibles are allowed at entry time, and those horses would have until Oaks morning – the day before the Derby – to scratch into the race.