Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for May 20, 2020

WHO’S HOT

The lightly raced, unbeaten Pneumatic, who makes his stakes debut Saturday in the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs, is the latest newcomer to the Derby Watch top 20. He comes in as a 50-1 shot on the line set by Marty McGee of Daily Racing Form for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby. There were no changes over the past fortnight to the other 19 runners in the top 20, with Nadal still slightly favored at 7-2 over the pair of Charlatan and Tiz the Law, who are 4-1. Those three are all under consideration for the reconstituted Belmont Stakes, set for June 20.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

WHO’S NOT

Excession was dropped from the top 20. He was second in the Rebel on March 4, but has not worked since March 30, and his trainer, Steve Asmussen, informs that Excession will be off for a while. The horse who replaced him, Pneumatic, also is trained by Asmussen.

ON THE BUBBLE

The Winn offers 85 points overall, including 50 to the winner, on the system Churchill Downs uses to determine the 20-horse field for the Derby. If a horse not on the list prevails, he will immediately jump onto the list, as those 50 points would be a significant step toward participation this year, even with the added Road to the Derby stakes owing to the Derby’s postponement from May 2.