Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 27, 2022

WHO’S HOT

Perhaps this should be who’s warmed over. Former Derby Watch top 20 member Classic Causeway is the lone addition to the list this week, inserted owing to his connections now being desirous of running in the race after ruling him out shortly after his dreadful performance in the Florida Derby. He’s got sufficient points, so he’s in. Classic Causeway is listed at 30-1 on the line of Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee for the May 7 Kentucky Derby, for which post positions will be drawn Monday afternoon, shortly after entries are submitted. Crown Pride, the Japanese invader, is down to 30-1 after being 50-1 a week ago. Zandon remains the favorite at 4-1, with Epicenter next at 5-1.

WHO’S NOT

Morello, who had been on the fence, was officially ruled out, so he’s the lone defection from the list. McGee slightly raised the price on Taiba, who is up to 10-1 from last week’s 8-1, making him the co-fourth choice with Mo Donegal and White Abarrio, those three behind the trio of Zandon, Epicenter, and Taiba’s Tim Yakteen-trained stablemate Messier, whom McGee now has as the stand-alone third choice at 8-1.

ON THE BUBBLE

Pioneer of Medina had a whipsaw week, moving into the top 20 on points owing to Morello’s defection, only to get bumped back to 21st on the points list when Classic Causeway was re-inserted into the lineup. In Due Time and Ethereal Road are next, in points order. They have until Monday to make it into the top 20, and thus be drawn into the gate for the Derby. Otherwise, if their connections still want to try and get into the Derby, those horses would be put on the also-eligible list, and then have until scratch time, at 9 a.m. May 6, to draw in if there’s a scratch between Monday’s draw and Oaks morning.

–Jay Privman