Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 12

WHO’S HOT

Ring Weekend, the winner of the Tampa Bay Derby, is one of four additions to this week’s Derby Watch top 20, along with Bobby’s Kitten, who won an allowance race at Tampa in his 2014 debut, and both Hoppertunity and Tamarando, who were “On the Bubble” horses in previous weeks and finally forged their way onto the list.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form ’s national handicapper, has both Bobby’s Kitten and Ring Weekend as 25-1 shots on his future line for the May 3 Kentucky Derby. Hoppertunity and Tamarando are 40-1 on his line. California Chrome, 30-1 on Watchmaker’s line a week ago, is now the third choice at 8-1 following his powerful victory last Saturday in the San Felipe Stakes.

WHO’S NOT

Owing to injury or disappointing performances, four horses – Bayern, Conquest Titan, Kristo, and Top Billing – were dropped from the list. Top Billing was the third choice at 8-1 on Watchmaker’s line prior to sustaining a cannon-bone fracture last weekend that removes him from Derby consideration. Midnight Hawk, second in the San Felipe, is now 30-1 on Watchmaker’s line after being 25-1 a week ago.

[DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list | Asmussen keeps focus on Rebel Stakes]

ON THE BUBBLE

Those just missing the cut this week include Commissioner, Noble Moon, Tonalist, Vicar’s in Trouble, and Vinceremos, all of whom should get at least one more shot at earning significant Derby points in the next few weeks. The only race worth points this week is the Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.