2022 Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Three Weeks of Derby Mania Await!

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 Louisiana Derby Weekend:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• There are no claims to announce this week

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 (7/5) 

• Doppelgänger – He wasn’t bad in the San Felipe Stakes (G2); however, for the second straight start, he was no match for Forbidden Kingdom.
• 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. We’ll see him this weekend 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.
• 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. We’ll see him in the UAE Derby (G2) this weekend in Dubai.

2. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (9/5) 

• 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).
• 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.

3. Real Dynasty (9/2)

• 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 – Despite a rough trip, he was still able to win the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), which was very impressive.
• Un Ojo – The newest member of the team is in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
• Zozos – The recent claim has looked awesome in 2 starts; however, it looks as though he will only get one chance to make the Kentucky Derby, which comes this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

4. Kelby Von Hemel (8/1)

• Blackadder – The newest claim made a nice rally down the lane to win the El Camino Real Derby last time out.
• Rattle N Roll – He didn’t do much running in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), but will try again this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Call Me Midnight – The newest member of this team was an impressive last-to-first winner of the Lecomte Stakes (G3). He’s in the Louisiana Derby (G2) this weekend looking to make it 2 in a row.
• Pinehurst – He held on gamely to win the Saudi Cup Derby and will now try to take down the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai.
• Forbidden Kingdom – You can’t find much wrong with his two-turn debut as he dominated his rivals in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).

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.
• 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. The Arkansas Derby (G1) will be next.
• Chasing Time – Yuck, he was a very lackluster fifth in a poor running of the Rebel Stakes (G2).

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.
• 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 should be heading towards a Kentucky Derby prep race next.

7. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (20/1)

• 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, but he’ll only get one shot at a prep, which will be in the Florida Derby (G1).
• 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? We’ll find out this weekend in the Fair Ground Oaks (G2).
• McLaren Vale – He’s finally back in action this weekend in the Sunland Derby (G3).
• American Icon – It’s never good when you lose against allowance horses, and they are hitting the reset button with him now.

8. Jared Welch (30/1) 

• Emmanuel – Nothing went right in his stakes debut as he was off the board in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• 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 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.

9. Geist (30/1)

• 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). 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.
• 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 – 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 – Uh oh… this team is in big trouble after he was not good in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• 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).