Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 6
WHO’S HOT
Fellowship, Majesto, and Oscar Nominated are the three newcomers to this week’s Derby Watch top 20, as the list increasingly makes room for those who have earned enough points to safely be in the field for the May 7 Kentucky Derby. Majesto and Fellowship were second and third in the Florida Derby. Oscar Nominated won the Spiral Stakes. All three are 30-1 shots on the future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper.
The victory by Nyquist over Mohaymen in the Florida Derby caused Watchmaker to make Nyquist his new favorite for the Derby at 7-2. He was 6-1 a week ago. Mohaymen, last week’s favorite at 4-1, is now 8-1 but is the second choice.
:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list | Derby Watch: Baffert, Stevens know how to get it done in Santa Anita Derby
WHO’S NOT
Flexibility, Laoban, and Suddenbreakingnews all were forced off the list to make room for the three newcomers, but they still have one more Derby prep remaining, giving them a chance to get back onto the list. Flexibility is slated to run in the Wood Memorial on Saturday, Laoban is in the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday, and Suddenbreakingnews is awaiting the Arkansas Derby on April 16. To balance his future line, Watchmaker tweaked the price on Zulu, raising him to 20-1 from last week’s 15-1.
:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays
ON THE BUBBLE
With the Wood, Blue Grass, and Santa Anita Derby all on Saturday, opportunities abound for late-developing horses to move onto the list. Candidates to do so include Adventist in the Wood and both Cherry Wine and My Man Sam in the Blue Grass. All three have been knocking on the door.