Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 18

WHO’S HOT Suddenbreakingnews, who rallied from last to win the Southwest Stakes on Monday, is one of three newcomers to the Derby Watch top 20. He is 20-1 on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper.

Also debuting on the list are Uncle Lino, the runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, who is 25-1 on Watchmaker’s line, and Swale Stakes runner-up Economic Model, who is 30-1. Eclipse Award winner Nyquist, who won the San Vicente on Monday to remain unbeaten in six starts, is now the second choice on Watchmaker’s line at 6-1 after being the co-third choice last week at 10-1. Exaggerator, second in the San Vicente, is now the co-fourth choice at 12-1 after being 15-1 a week ago.

WHO’S NOT Collected, Drefong, and Gift Box were dropped from the list. Collected was fourth as the favorite in the Southwest, while Drefong and Gift Box have not worked in more than three weeks, though Gift Box is in training and could work again soon.

ON THE BUBBLE Destin, who won the Sam F. Davis Stakes last Saturday, and Frank Conversation, who won last Saturday’s El Camino Real Derby, just missed making the cut. So did Tom’s Ready, but he’ll get a chance Saturday to forge his way onto the list when he runs in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds, which kicks off a round of Kentucky Derby preps that offer 85 points overall, 50 to the winner, essentially making them Win and You’re In races for the Kentucky Derby.