2022 Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Team Magic Mike Extends Lead Ahead Of Major Derby Preps Weekend

1. The Magic Mike Show (1/1) 

• Doppelgänger – He wasn’t bad in the San Felipe Stakes (G2); however, for the second straight start, he was no match for Forbidden Kingdom. We’ll seem him this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1) for new trainer Tim Yakteen.
• Epicenter – He’s proven to be a stud for this team, picking up his most impressive victory yet in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• White Abarrio – His Holy Bull Stakes (G3) victory was very impressive and he received a solid 97 Beyer for the effort. Can he move forward off of that race with another strong effort this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1)?
• Strava – He lost against allowance company in his most recent start once again as the team would really like to move on from him; however, they keep losing shakes. Big surprise.
• Gilded Age – He was nowhere to be found in the UAE Derby (G2).

2. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (8/5) 

• Secret Oath – The filly has immense talent and Lukas confirmed she will be running against the boys next in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Morello – The newest member of the team looks legit after winning the Gotham Stakes (G3) with a solid 96 Beyer.
• Early Voting – This third-round pick came through with a solid victory in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.
• Classic Causeway – He had another nice-looking win in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Can he do it again this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1)?
• In Due Time – He ran well to finish second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and seems to be getting better with each start. We’ll seem him again next weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

3. Real Dynasty (8/1)

• Pappacap – This horse was nowhere to be found in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds. He’ll move tracks and try the Florida Derby (G1) this weekend.
• Crown Pride – We’ll see if the UAE Derby (G2) winner can come to the United States and make an impact this season. It has not worked well in the past.
• Simplification – Despite a rough trip, he was still able to win the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), which was very impressive. He’ll look for more glory this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Un Ojo – The newest member of the team is in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. Can he do it again this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1)?
• Zozos – The recent claim did what Real Dynasty hoped he would: run well enough to finish second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and head to Kentucky next.

4. Kelby Von Hemel (10/1)

• Blackadder – The newest claim made a nice rally down the lane to win the El Camino Real Derby last time out. He’s on target for the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) this weekend.
• Rattle N Roll – He improved in the Louisiana Derby (G2) but could do no better than fourth.
• Call Me Midnight – He was right behind Rattle N Roll in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Pinehurst – The distance finally got to this horse as he was eased in the UAE Derby (G2).
• Forbidden Kingdom – You can’t find much wrong with his two-turn debut as he dominated his rivals in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). We’ll see him next in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

5. Austin Elsey/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (15/1) 

• Zandon – His third in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) was a solid start to his season. We’ll see if he can move forward off of that effort in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
• My Prankster – He was very impressive in the Swale Stakes (G3); however, it looks like they’ll probably keep him sprinting.
• Ethereal Road – The newest member of this team is improving with each start for D. Wayne Lukas. We’ll see him next in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
• Cyberknife – Now we’re talking! This horse has shown talent and finally put it together mentally, dominating allowance company at Fair Grounds. The Arkansas Derby (G1) is next.
• Chasing Time – Yuck, he was a very lackluster fifth in a poor running of the Rebel Stakes (G2). He’ll try to rebound this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

6. Aaron Halterman (15/1)

• Jack Christopher – He’s basically worthless in this league, as it looks like he won’t be back anytime soon, but at least he is back on the work tab.
• Messier – Now we’re talking! Messier crushed the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), receiving a crop-best 103 Beyer for the victory. Plus, he’s now with trainer Tim Yakteen, which means he can earn points in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Unpredictable Bay – He was beyond bad in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).
• Sir London – He sucked something fierce in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3).
• We the People – The newest member of the team picked up a nice allowance victory in his last start and will run this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

7. Dan Waite and Michael Myers (30/1) 

• Barese – The newest member of the team did not enter the Gotham Stakes (G3) as expected, but is reportedly pointing towards the Wood Memorial (G2).
• Slow Down Andy – The Savior!! Slow Down Andy won the Sunland Derby (G3) to bring this team out of last place.
• Major General – Really really bad in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
• High Oak – You always hate to see a horse fall, but the good news is he is reportedly unharmed by the incident from the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Spin Wheel – Even worse than really really bad in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

8. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (30/1)

• Smile Happy – It was a disappointing second for him in the Risen Star Stakes (G2); however, he ran well and should move forward off of that race in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).
• Charge It – Paul won this promising prospect in a 5-way shake, but he’ll only get one shot at a prep, which will be in the Florida Derby (G1) this weekend.
• Echo Zulu – She’s back, and she’s a winner, but the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) was too close for comfort.
• McLaren Vale – He’s been transferred over to Tim Yakteen, and is now reportedly targeting the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• American Icon – It’s never good when you lose against allowance horses, and they are hitting the reset button with him now.

9. Jared Welch (50/1) 

• Emmanuel – Nothing went right in his stakes debut as he was off the board in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). He’ll try again in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
• Commandperformance – LOL watch this.
• Taiba – He was ultra-impressive in a maiden special weight victory at Santa Anita, but it’s late in the game, so we’ll see if he can make an impact in this league.
• Stellar Tap – He was terrible in the Rebel Stakes (G2). He runs in an allowance this weekend at Oaklawn Park.
• Wit – He has terrible trouble out of the gate but has talent and should do well going longer. Let’s see where he ends up next as he is now back on the workout tab.

10. Geist (50/1)

• Mo Donegal – Even though he was third in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), it was a solid effort and will set him up well for his next start in the Wood Memorial (G2).
• Make It Big – He was pretty disappointing in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3). It looks like he is now off the Derby Trail.
• Dean’s List – This ended up being a solid claim after he finished second in the Gotham Stakes (G3).
• Barber Road – He did what he always does in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing on the board after making a big run late. Let’s see if he can do it again in the Arkansas Derby (G1) this weekend.
• Gunite – Can he bounce back from a poor effort that ended his 2021 season? He hasn’t had a work in quite a while.