2022 Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Rebel Stakes Up Next

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 the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• In a 3-way shake Geist CLAIMED Barber Road and DROPPED Nakatomi
• In a 3-way shake Real Dynasty CLAIMED Zozos and DROPPED Tawny Port
• In a 3-way shake Jon/Ryan CLAIMED In Due Time and DROPPED Wharton

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 (8/5) 

• 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.
• 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.

2. Real Dynasty (4/1)

• Pappacap – This horse was nowhere to be found in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
• Newgrange – He wasn’t overly impressive, but he seemed to hate the Oaklawn Park track and still won the Southwest Stakes (G3). He returns to Oaklawn Park this weekend for the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• Simplification – He ran well to finish second in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) despite a horrendous trip.
• 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. Austin Elsey/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (5/1) 

• 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.
• Trafalgar – He doesn’t look to be good enough for prep stakes company after a poor effort in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• 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 – Wow, this horse woke up in a big way last time out, dominating an allowance field at Oaklawn Park. The Rebel Stakes (G2) is next this weekend.

4. Aaron Halterman (6/1)

• Jack Christopher – One of the most talented horses in the group heads into 2022 not knowing if he can handle two turns. Also, can he return quickly enough from his injury? Chad Brown recently hinted that making the Derby is a longshot.
• 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).
• Kid Corleone – He beat Sir London in a maiden special weight score at Del Mar last time out; however, that no longer looks like a big deal, plus we still haven’t seen a work from him in a while.

5. Jared Welch (6/1) 

• Emmanuel – He looked very impressive in an allowance victory at Tampa Bay Downs. Stakes company will definitely be next for him.
• 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 in his next race.
• Stellar Tap – This horse could do no better than third in a recent allowance race at Fair Grounds. He gets another chance this weekend in the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• 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.

6. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (8/1) 

• Corniche – He began 2022 as the clubhouse leader after an impressive 3-for-3 campaign as a 2-year-old, but he’s still on vacation in Kentucky. It’s officially starting to get worrisome that he has not shown up on the work tab, plus the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) has NOT returned well.
• Tiz the Bomb – His dirt attempt in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) ended up being a total disaster.
• 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 now pointing towards the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

7. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (10/1)

• 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 was third in his stakes debut last time out, which came in a pretty tough version of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. We’ll see him this weekend in an allowance race at Oaklawn Park, which means the Arkansas Derby (G1) could be the goal.
• 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.
• 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 his target.
• 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 was a strong second in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), which ended up being a pretty solid race.
• Forbidden Kingdom – This horse looked ultra-impressive in his gate-to-wire victory in the San Vicente 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.
• Make It Big – He was pretty disappointing in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).
• Winning Map – At one time, he was a top contender, but he must rebound from a poor effort in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3). He fired a bullet workout at Santa Anita on 12/26, but has only had one work since.
• Barber Road – We’ll see if this newest member of the team can get points right away when running in the Rebel Stakes (G2) this weekend at Oaklawn Park.
• Gunite – Let’s see if he can bounce back from a poor effort that ended his 2021 season. However, he also hasn’t had a work in quite a while.

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

• Rocket Dawg – Oh boy… he was dead last in the Gun Runner Stakes. Not what you want to see from your first round pick before the season even starts. He did return to the work tab on 2/11 at Keeneland.
• 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 – The team’s newest claim was working well down in Florida; however, he missed the Swale Stakes (G3) after spiking a fever. He is back on the worktab, though, so look for him soon.
• 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.