Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 19, 2025
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WHO’S HOT
Magnitude was hot, then not. Magnitude crushed the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds by nearly 10 lengths and would have been favored this week on the Daily Racing Form Derby Watch Top 20. But days after his romping victory, Magnitude was off the trail. Trainer Steve Asmussen told DRF reporter Marcus Hersh the colt was to undergo surgery for a bone chip in his left ankle.
The two-three finishers in the Risen Star, and a maiden winner from Santa Anita, join the Derby Watch Top 20. Built finished third in the Risen Star; he opens at 30-1 on DRF odds by David Aragona. Risen Star second-place finisher Chunk of Gold, a $2,500 yearling, opens at 50-1. Baeza, a $1.2 million yearling and sibling to Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch, scored an authoritative maiden win Feb. 14 at Santa Anita. He joins the Top 20 at 50-1.
WHO’S NOT
East Avenue misfired again. Odds-on favorite in the Risen Star, his first start since he stumbled and finished ninth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, East Avenue fared worse at Fair Grounds. He pressed the pace set by Magnitude and came up empty. East Avenue finished 10th by more than 22 lengths, with no alibi as of early this week. He drops from the Top 20.
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2025: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
Jonathan’s Way scratched from the Risen Star; trainer Phil Bauer said he had an “unsatisfactory blood count.” A Grade 3 winner before he finished seventh in the BC Juvenile, Jonathan’s Way drops from the Top 20. Disco Time, who had an unspecified setback after winning the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds, also was dropped.
ON THE BUBBLE
Getaway Car earned a career-high 92 Beyer winning the $400,000 Sunland Derby by a nose over last-out maiden winner Caldera. Getaway Car earned 20 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Among active runners, Getaway Car is second on the points list, with 36. It is debatable if Getaway Car really wants to run the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles.
Sam Davis one-three finishers John Hancock and Poster remain on the bubble, along with Withers runner-up Surfside Moon and Rebel Stakes entrant Bullard.
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