Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 8

WHO’S HOT

J Boys Echo and Cloud Computing, who finished one-two in the Gotham Stakes last Saturday, are the newest members of the Derby Watch top 20. Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper, has J Boys Echo at 15-1 on his future line for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, with Cloud Computing at 20-1. Gunnevera, the winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday, is down to 10-1 after being 20-1 a week ago. Practical Joke, the Fountain of Youth runner-up, is now 15-1 after being 20-1 last week.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list | Derby Watch: Shirreffs having double the fun this year

WHO’S NOT

Guest Suite and Three Rules were dropped from the top 20. Guest Suite, who was the co-longest shot on Watchmaker’s line last week, was forced out because the top two from the Gotham were adjudged as better candidates. Three Rules is off because his connections said after his third-place finish in the Fountain of Youth that they are more likely to focus on the Preakness than the Derby. Irish War Cry, the second choice on Watchmaker’s line last week at 6-1, is now 25-1 after his disappointing race in the Fountain of Youth. El Areeb, a distant third as the favorite in the Gotham, is up to 40-1 after being 25-1 a week ago.

ON THE BUBBLE

The absence of McCraken from the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday affords a glorious opportunity for the likes of Beasley, State of Honor, and Wild Shot to move onto the list with a win.

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