2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Forte Looms Large In Florida Derby

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 continue with Forte in the Florida Derby (G1) and Reincarnate in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• Geist CLAIMED Classic Catch and DROPPED Curly Jack

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 (9/5) 

• Forte – Bang! The champ came back strong with a solid score in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). The Florida Derby (G1) is up next this weekend.
• Tapit’s Conquest – He was disappointing again in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He wasn’t awful; however, he could not hit the board in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). The Florida Derby (G1) is next for him this weekend.
• Hit Show – This claim worked out great as he dominated the Withers Stakes (G3). The Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) is next.
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he disappointed in 2 straight Gulfstream Park allowance races, but he’ll still give the Florida Derby (G1) a shot this weekend.

2. Shotty/Davey (5/2)

• National Treasure – His 2023 debut was disappointing as he was a lackluster third in the Sham Stakes (G3). He scratched out of the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and is reportedly aiming at the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).
• Gun Pilot – He was not good in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing off the board for Steve Asmussen. He’ll shorten up in distance this weekend in the Hot Springs Stakes.
• Verifying – He was decent in the Rebel Stakes (G2); however, he could do no better than fourth. The Blue Grass Stakes (G2) is next.
• Red Route One – He closed like he normally does in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing second, which is what he does best. The Arkansas Derby (G1) is next for him this weekend.
• Practical Move – He was ultra-impressive with a dominant victory in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and heads to the Santa Anita Derby (G1) as a top choice.

3. Geist (5/1)

• Blazing Sevens – Yikes, he showed up completely empty in an off the board effort in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Instant Coffee – The heavy favorite did little running in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Gulfport – He was disappointing as a 2-year-old but could improve stretching out in distance. His workouts are decent at Fair Grounds as they look to hit the reset button with him.
• Classic Catch – The newest claim looks to cash in next week 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).

4. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (6/1)

• Arabian Knight – Unfortunately, he is now off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Litigate – Unfortunately, he is now off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Slip Mahoney – The newest member of the team ran well in the Gotham Stakes (G3) to finish second despite a poor break from the gate. The Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) is next.
• 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.

5. Jared Welch (6/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent; however, the time lost due to injury is very concerning. Will he make it back in time to make any impact in the league? The good news is that he returned to the worktab on 3/19.
• Corona Bolt – He cut back to one turn and dominated an allowance race at Oaklawn Park.
• Geaux Rocket Ride – He showed up with a big effort in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), running a solid second. He could improve more in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) next.
• Tapit Trice – He did his job in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3); however, he’ll face tougher horses in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland next.
• Cairo – He was not good in the UAE Derby (G2), finishing off the board.

6. The Magic Mike Show (12/1) 

• Cave Rock – He is nearing a 2023 debut in time to make an impact on this league and could be targeting the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He stayed with Bob Baffert, though, so the Kentucky Derby is not an option now.
• Arctic Arrogance – He was second once again in the Withers Stakes (G3); finishing second seems to be what he likes to do.
• Henry Q – This new claim was a distance third in the Sunland Park Derby (G3).
• Rocket Can – This horse continues to improve, running second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. We’ll see him this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Funtastic Again – This new claim was a distant third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.

7. Aaron Halterman (15/1)

• Arabian Lion – He’s officially not good after another last-place effort in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.
• 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 race.
• Reincarnate – Despite a poor trip, he still was solid in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing third. The Arkansas Derby (G1) is next this weekend.
• 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 over a month.

8. Real Dynasty (15/1)

• Giant Mischief – Despite a decent trip, he still finished off the board in the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• Confidence Game – The newest member of the team was an upset winner of the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
• Two Phil’s – He picked up a much needed win for this team in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
• Dubyuhnell – His effort in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) was a total disaster. We’ll see him his weekend in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Determinedly – He was nowhere to be found in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) after setting the pace.

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

• Signator – He’s officially off the Kentucky Derby trail with an injury.
• 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.
• Mage – The newest member of the team ran ok in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park but could do no better than fourth. He’ll try again this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Jace’s Road – He improved on a dry track to run third in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

10. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (50/1) 

• Disarm – He improved greatly in his second start of the season to run second in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Cyclone Mischief – It was a nice bounce back for this horse in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) as he finished third after setting the pace. We’ll see him this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Hejazi – He set the pace in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) but could not hold on, finishing fourth, and is questionable to continue on the Trail.
• Angel of Empire – They have a Derby runner!! The newest member of the team looked sharp winning the Risen Star Stakes (G2). We’ll see if he can do it again this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Skinner – Despite a poor trip, he was still able to finish third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). The Santa Anita Derby (G1) is next.