2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Cream Rising To The Top As Lexington Nears

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 runners as they prepare for their next starts along the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.

Let’s take a look at the teams heading into this weekend, when the Kentucky Derby prep races come to an end with the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.

Current Standings

Recent Claims

There are two claims to announce this week: 

• In a 4-way Shake: Dan/Michael CLAIMED Mandarin Hero and DROPPED Classic Car Wash

• Real Dynasty CLAIMED Sun Thunder and DROPPED Determinedly

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. Kelby Von Hemel/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (8/5) 

• Forte – He got the job done in the Florida Derby (G1) and heads to Kentucky as the likely favorite.
• Tapit’s Conquest – He was disappointing in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He was awful in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Hit Show – He was second in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) despite a wide trip.
• Mr. Ripple – He wasn’t awful in the Florida Derby (G1); however, he could do no better than fourth.

2. Shotty/Davey (2/1)

• National Treasure – He got going late but could do no better than fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Gun Pilot – He ran ok but still could not win the Hot Springs Stakes.
• Verifying – His runner-up effort in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) was the best of his career.
• Red Route One – He did not fire his normal effort and finished off the board in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Practical Move – This horse has been the star of the team, picking up yet another big victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

3. Jared Welch (3/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent, but he may not have enough time to make a Triple Crown race.
• Corona Bolt – He won sprinting once again in a tough stakes race at Keeneland.
• Geaux Rocket Ride – He showed up with a big effort to be second in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), but he got sick and scratched out of the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Tapit Trice – Boom! He improved greatly with a solid win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.
• Cairo – He was not good in the UAE Derby (G2), finishing off the board.

4. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (8/1)

• Arabian Knight – He is off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Litigate – He is also off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Slip Mahoney – He wasn’t good in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).
• Kingsbarns – He couldn’t have been more impressive when romping to win the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Banishing – Yikes, he was a complete no-show in a recent Fair Grounds allowance and hasn’t recorded a workout since mid-March.

5. Geist (10/1)

• Blazing Sevens – He improved enough to finish third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
• Instant Coffee – The heavy favorite did little running in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Gulfport – He did little running in a sprint stakes at Keeneland.
• Classic Catch – He did little running in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct.
• Derma Sotogake – Geist hit a home run with this draft pick who impressively won the UAE Derby (G2).

6. Real Dynasty (20/1)

• Giant Mischief – Despite a decent trip, he still finished off the board in the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• Confidence Game – He was an upset winner of the Rebel Stakes (G2) and could return in the Lexington Stakes (G3).
• Two Phil’s – He picked up a much-needed win for this team in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
• Dubyuhnell – He was nowhere to be found in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Sun Thunder – The newest claim has been consistent all year long while unable to win.

7. The Magic Mike Show (30/1) 

• Cave Rock – Will he ever race again? His work pattern is inconsistent.
• Arctic Arrogance – He set the pace before fading to fourth in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).
• Henry Q – He was a distant third in the Sunland Park Derby (G3).
• Rocket Can – He was a lackluster fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Funtastic Again – He was a distant third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).

8. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (30/1) 

• Disarm – He improved greatly in his second start of the season to run second in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Cyclone Mischief – He continues to look better and better for this team after a third-place effort in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Hejazi – He could do no better than second in a sprint stakes at Keeneland.
• Angel of Empire – Boom! This team picked up a huge win with this horse in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Skinner – He nearly got there in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), finishing a close third.

9. Aaron Halterman (50/1)

• Arabian Lion – He’s officially not good after another last-place effort in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. However, he did fire a bullet workout on 4/2. Sometimes, donkeys run fast in the morning.
• Victory Formation – He was a major disappointment in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), finishing off the board as the favorite.
• Rudder’s Men – He tried the turf and still was poor, finishing off the board in a Tampa Bay Downs stakes.
• Reincarnate – He was a lackluster third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Faustin – Running second in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) wasn’t enough for him to transfer away from Baffert, so the Kentucky Derby is no longer in the picture. He also hasn’t recored a workout in a while.

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

• Mandarin Hero – The newest member of the team looked great in a runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Havnameltdown – Distance is still a question mark; however, he picked up an impressive win in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) before nearly winning the Saudi Derby.
• Continuar – He didn’t look great in the UAE Derby (G2); however, he will still run in the Kentucky Derby, representing the Japan series.
• Mage – This horse continues to improve and finished a solid second in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Jace’s Road – He improved on a dry track to run third in the Louisiana Derby (G2).