Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 15, 2023
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WHO’S HOT
Hit Show scored a decisive victory in the Grade 3 Withers on Feb. 11 at Aqueduct. His addition to Derby Watch increases the number of Brad Cox trainees on the list to five. Hit Show, who dominated the Withers under ideal conditions, is likely to run next in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 8 at Aqueduct. Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona opens Hit Show at 20-1. Skinner returned with an impressive maiden win Feb. 12 at Santa Anita to join the Derby Watch list. Skinner, trained by John Shirreffs, will start next in a graded race. Aragona priced Skinner and Derby Watch addition Gun Pilot at 50-1. Gun Pilot is under consideration for the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park.
WHO’S NOT
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
Newgate, Dubyuhnell, and Arctic Arrogance drop from Derby Watch. Newgate is out until summer. Dubyuhnell and Arctic Arrogance did not impress in Grade 3s on Feb. 11. Dubyuhnell finished eighth in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs; Arctic Arrogance finished second in the Withers and will shorten to one mile for the Grade 3 Gotham on March 4 at Aqueduct. Litigate earned 20 Derby points winning the Sam F. Davis, but his leisurely 77 Beyer Speed Figure cannot be ignored. The fig is the lowest by a Sam. F. Davis winner since 1996. Cave Rock, who posted his first comeback workout Feb. 13, had his Derby Watch odds raised by Aragona from 12-1 to 20-1
ON THE BUBBLE
Several bubble horses run Saturday at Fair Grounds. Hoosier Philly entered the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra for fillies; Tapit’s Conquest and Two Phil’s go in the Grade 2 Risen Star; Banishing runs in an allowance. Disarm, an impressive Saratoga maiden winner, returns in an allowance Sunday at Oaklawn Park. Santa Anita-based bubble horses include debut winner Geaux Rocket Ride and 100-Beyer stakes runner-up Hard to Figure. Tampa Bay allowance winner Kingsbarns (85 Beyer) and Aqueduct maiden winner Slip Mahoney (87) continue to be monitored.
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