Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 13, 2013

WHO’S HOT

Hear the Ghost, who won the San Felipe Stakes, and Java’s War, second to Verrazano in the Tampa Bay Derby, make their first appearances in the top 20 of Derby Watch. Hear the Ghost is 15-1 on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper. Watchmaker has Java’s War at 20-1. Verrazano has been atop the Derby Watch list since its debut more than a month ago, and he solidified his position with an easy win at Tampa. He is now 4-1 on Watchmaker’s line after being 6-1 last week.

WHO’S NOT

Falling Sky was removed from the list after finishing third in the Tampa Bay Derby. He didn’t run poorly, but the two newcomers were adjudged more deserving at this point. Ive Struck a Nerve also was dropped after suffering an ankle fracture that will sideline him for at least six months. Flashback, second choice on Watchmaker’s line at 8-1 last week, saw his price rise to 15-1 after finishing second in the San Felipe. Similarly, Goldencents was raised to 30-1 from last week’s 20-1 after finishing fourth in the San Felipe.

ON THE BUBBLE

Treasury Bill has been knocking on the door for weeks and can finally bust it open should he perform well in his two-turn debut Saturday at Oaklawn in the Rebel Stakes, which drew a large field. With 50 points going to the winner of the Rebel, if the winner’s not on the list already, he will be after Saturday.

[DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list and video | Wests have four Derby contenders]