2022 Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Massive Weekend Awaits

Each week, this important article will provide the standings, power rankings, and recent transactions for every league member. Not only will you see the latest claims in the league (which will show you what horses might be up-and-coming), but you will also get updates on the Kentucky Derby contenders as they prepare for their next starts along the Kentucky Derby Trail.

Let’s check the updates and see the latest news on all 50 horses in the league as we head into a massive weekend of prep races:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• In a 3-way shake Austin/Evil Steveil CLAIMED Ethereal Road and DROPPED Trafalgar
• In a 5-way shake Jon/Ryan CLAIMED Secret Oath and DROPPED Tiz the Bomb
• In a 3-way shake Jon/Ryan CLAIMED Morello and DROPPED Corniche
• Aaron CLAIMED We the People and DROPPED Kid Corleone
• Geist CLAIMED Dean’s List and DROPPED Winning Map
• Dan/Michael CLAIMED Barese and DROPPED Rocket Dawg

Power Rankings

The “Power Rankings” feature teams’ odds to win the contest, as well as an update on every horse on each team. Here we go:

1. The Magic Mike Show (6/5) 

• Doppelgänger – Everyone’s favorite team’s top pick was a disappointing fourth in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), likely because his poor trainer continues to be unfairly attacked. He still earned a solid speed figure, even with the world against him, and he will most definitely prove to be very elite, very talented when stretching out. We’ll see him this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• Epicenter – This horse took a big step forward with a dominant win in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds. He is now the best of the bunch that is currently eligible for the race.
• White Abarrio – His Holy Bull Stakes (G3) victory was very impressive and he received a solid 97 Beyer for the effort.
• 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 – His first try against stakes company wasn’t awful, finishing third in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. That race has already seen a next-out winner.

2. Real Dynasty (4/1)

• Pappacap – This horse was nowhere to be found in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
• Newgrange – He was a total no-show in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, so it’s back to the drawing board for him.
• Simplification – He ran well to finish second in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) despite a horrendous trip. We’ll see if he gets a better trip this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Varatti – This impressive maiden special weight winner at Belmont Park in September finally returned to the work tab on January 17 and is reportedly aiming for an early March return at either Gulfstream Park or Tampa Bay Downs.
• Zozos – The newest member of the team has looked awesome in 2 starts; however, it looks as though he will only get one chance to make the Kentucky Derby.

3. Jared Welch (9/2) 

• Emmanuel – He looked very impressive in an allowance victory at Tampa Bay Downs. Let’s see what he is made of this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Commandperformance – He’s still a maiden and was most recently fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), a race that has NOT returned well.
• Rockefeller – He disappointed with a distant second in the Sham Stakes (G3). We’ll see if he can rebound this weekend in the Gotham Stakes (G3).
• Stellar Tap – He was terrible the Rebel Stakes (G2). Not sure what you do with him next.
• 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.

4. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (6/1) 

• Secret Oath – The filly has immense talent, and you have to think eventually Lukas will run her against the boys.
• Morello – This new claim will look to get points back immediately this weekend in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.
• Early Voting – This third-round pick came through with a solid victory in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.
• Classic Causeway – Even though he set a fast pace, he drew away nicely in the stretch to win the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).
• In Due Time – The newest member of this team was solid in a recent allowance win at Gulfstream Park and is running this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

5. Austin Elsey/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (10/1) 

• 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.
• 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.
• Cyberknife – Now we’re talking! This horse has shown talent and finally put it together mentally, dominating allowance company at Fair Grounds. A Derby prep will be next for him.
• Chasing Time – Yuck, he was a very lackluster fifth in a poor running of the Rebel Stakes (G2).

6. Aaron Halterman (10/1)

• Jack Christopher – He’s basically worthless in this league, as it looks like he won’t be back anytime soon.
• Messier – Now we’re talking! Messier crushed the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), receiving a crop-best 103 Beyer for the victory.
• 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 is targeting an allowance event at Oaklawn Park for his next start after an impressive maiden victory.

7. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (12/1)

• 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.
• Charge It – Paul won this promising prospect in a 5-way shake. Look for him in a Kentucky Derby prep race next.
• Echo Zulu – She might be the best overall 2-year-old in the crop, but will they try her against the boys? And will she come back just as strong as a 3-year-old? She’s currently working at Fair Grounds.
• McLaren Vale – He missed his start at Oaklawn Park after not wanting to get on the plane. His next start is unknown at this time.
• American Icon – It’s never good when you lose against allowance horses; however, it wasn’t a completely awful effort and he should continue toward a Kentucky Derby prep next.

8. Kelby Von Hemel (20/1)

• Giant Game – His Holy Bull Stakes (G3) was a total disaster, but we’ll see him again this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Rattle N Roll – He could be one to keep an eye on in 2022 – if he returns strong from injury. The Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) is up this weekend for him.
• Call Me Midnight – The newest member of this team was an impressive last-to-first winner of the Lecomte Stakes (G3). He’s aiming for the Louisiana Derby (G2) next.
• Pinehurst – He held on gamely to win the Saudi Cup Derby; however, that is not a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep.
• Forbidden Kingdom – This horse looked ultra-impressive in his gate-to-wire victory in the San Vicente Stakes (G2). We’ll see him this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).

9. 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, which comes this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Make It Big – He was pretty disappointing in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).
• Dean’s List – Thew newest member of the team will try to pick up immediate points this weekend 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.
• Gunite – Can he bounce back from a poor effort that ended his 2021 season? He hasn’t had a work in quite a while.

10. Dan Waite and Michael Myers (50/1) 

• Barese – They’re going for immediate points with this guy this weekend in the Gotham Stakes (G3).
• Slow Down Andy – Uh oh… this team is in big trouble after he was not good in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Major General – He went 2 for 2 in 2021 before missing several months, but he finally returned to the worktab in Florida on January 7. He’s reportedly looking at an early March return.
• High Oak – We’ll see him this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), which is his first start off the season.
• Spin Wheel – The Holy Bull Stakes (G3) did not go his way; however, he is better suited for longer races and perhaps at a different track. If only Mahoning Valley had a Derby prep.