Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 24, 2021

WHO’S HOT

Prime Factor worked his way onto the Derby Watch top 20 list owing to the setback suffered by Prevalence, plus the fact Prime Factor is running Saturday in the Fountain of Youth, giving him a chance to improve upon his third-place finish in the Holy Bull last time out. His place on the list could be tenuous, though, as a number of horses are running in three points-scoring races this weekend, and several more just missed making the cut this week. Prime Factor is 30-1 on the line of Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee for the May 1 Kentucky Derby. McGee slightly lowered the prices on the top two choices, with Essential Quality – scheduled to run Saturday in the Southwest – favored now at 9-2 after being 5-1 a week ago, and second choice Life Is Good down to 5-1 from 6-1.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

WHO’S NOT

Prevalence missed his scheduled second start this week owing to a minor training setback, and with the Derby a little more than two months away, hiccups are difficult to overcome, especially for a horse with just one start to date. As a result, he was dropped from the Derby Watch top 20.

ON THE BUBBLE

With the Battaglia Memorial on Friday and both the Southwest and Fountain of Youth on Saturday, plenty of horses will have a chance to advance their cause, most notably Drain the Clock, who has yet to be nominated to the Triple Crown but could force the hands of his owners if he runs well in the Fountain of Youth. La Perouse won the Hyacinth last Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse, and he’s nominated to the Derby, so if he retains the top spot on the Japan Road to the Derby series and comes, a spot awaits.