Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 8, 2023

WHO’S HOT
Forte solidified early favoritism for the Kentucky Derby with a strong comeback victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona lowered Forte from 6-1 to 4-1. The biggest odds shift applied to Practical Move, decisive comeback winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe. Aragona lowered Practical Move from 30-1 to 10-1. Three new faces join the Derby Watch top 20, including Geaux Rocket Ride, runner-up in the San Felipe; and Raise Cain, who crushed the Grade 2 Gotham going one turn on a muddy track. Mage, fourth with a compromising trip in the Fountain of Youth, also was added. Just barely.

WHO’S NOT
Three drop from Derby Watch – Cave Rock, Hejazi, and Blazing Sevens. Cave Rock reportedly stayed in the Bob Baffert stable, and therefore is ineligible for the Derby. Hejazi finished fourth in the San Felipe and is likely to shorten back to one turn. Blazing Sevens finished next to last in the Fountain of Youth, beaten 26 lengths. National Treasure, the San Felipe program favorite, was scratched with a bruised foot. The Grade 1-placed colt would have been making his first start for trainer Tim Yakteen. Previously trained by Baffert, National Treasure has zero Derby qualifying points. His next start is expected to be in an all-or-nothing Derby points race. Although the setback to National Treasure is believed to be minor, time is not on his side.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

ON THE BUBBLE
General Banker keeps plugging away. The Gotham was his third successive third-place finish in a Derby points race. His 24 points rank 10th. David Grening reported in Daily Racing Form that General Banker will aim to the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 8 at Aqueduct. Tall Boy is “flourishing” in Dubai, according to trainer Doug O’Neill, and will be a contender March 25 at Meydan in the UAE Derby along with stablemate Ah Jeez. The UAE Derby winner earns 100 points, 40 to the runner-up. Henry Q, the Mine That Bird Derby winner trained at Sunland Park by Todd Fincher, will run in the 50-points-to-the-winner Sunland Derby on March 26. If he makes the cut, he will run in O’Neill’s name in the Kentucky Derby.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.