Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 21, 2018

WHO’S HOT

The lone newcomer to this week’s Derby Watch top 20 is Gold Town, the winner of last month’s United Arab Emirates 2000 Guineas, who had been on the bubble in recent weeks and forged his way onto the list this week when an opening presented itself. He is 30-1 on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper. Magnum Moon, now 3 for 3 following his victory in the Rebel Stakes last Saturday, saw his price drop from last week’s 20-1 to 10-1, making him the co-fourth choice on Watchmaker’s line with champion Good Magic, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner.

WHO’S NOT

Sporting Chance was dropped from the list after a disappointing effort in the Rebel. A couple of horses had their odds tick higher, with Audible up to 12-1 from last week’s 10-1 and Gronkowski now 40-1 after being 30-1 a week ago.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list | Derby Watch: Ex-rider Bloom living Derby Dream with Snapper Sinclair

ON THE BUBBLE

The first of the Derby preps that offer 100 points for first and 40 for second is the Louisiana Derby on Saturday at Fair Grounds, so if any horse not currently on the list finishes in the top two, he’d move into the top 20, as he’d have enough points to make the final field. As the Derby gets closer, the Derby Watch list becomes increasingly points driven. Noble Indy, a former top 20 member, is the most prominent Louisiana Derby runner not currently on the list. Blended Citizen, the winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks last Saturday, is among those who were considered for this week’s top 20 but missed the cut.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays, and analysis