Hot
Jeff Mullins: Boy, this guy is a good. He won his second straight Santa Anita Derby when engineering an upset with Castledale, who looked like nothing better than a fair turf horse. Mullins can really bring out the best in them. Doubt Castledale has the goods to win the Kentucky Derby, but you can't take anything away from what he accomplished Saturday.

Rock Hard Ten: Though he didn't win the Santa Anita Derby and was disqualified from second for bothering Imperialism, the race, for him, was a big step forward. He had run only twice in his career and had never before competed in a stakes race. His inexperience can still be a major factor in the Derby, but he showed Saturday he's got the ability to compete at the highest level.

Pollard's Vision: Might not have beaten the greatest field in the Illinois Derby, but he was a convincing winner and seems to be getting better with every start. Hard to believe a son of Carson City can win at a mile and a quarter, but, in this crazy year, who knows?

Madcap Escapade: What a nice filly. Did anybody notice she was made a late nominee to the Triple Crown? Owner Bruce Lunsford wouldn't rule out a start in the Derby following her Ashland win. However, it is more likely that she will run in the Kentucky Oaks.

Not
Nick Zito: Zito's once potent hand got weaker still last week with the announcement that Eurosilver will not be pointed for the Kentucky Derby. He's down to The Cliff's Edge and Birdstone and neither has exactly been burning up the track lately.

Wimbledon: Might have been the Kentucky Derby favorite had he won the Santa Anita Derby. Instead, he's suspect after showing very little when fifth in the Santa Anita Derby. "We'll go on," trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday. "I know he's a good horse. He's already shown that (winning the Louisiana Derby). He ran like he did yesterday three races ago. I really think he's a better horse when he leaves Santa Anita anyway. This is not his kind of surface. I think we learned more from this loss than we did from winning in Louisiana. You learn from your losses and you kick yourself in the butt."

St Averil: What happened to him? One of the few consistent 3-year-olds this year, he was awful in the Santa Anita Derby when sixth and had no apparent excuses. The performance might have knocked him out of the Derby.

Halfbridled: Nothing has gone right for this filly this year. Now, she missed the Ashland after tying up. Trainer Mandella won't rule out a start in the Kentucky Derby, something that seems like an impossibility.