2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Major Changes After Forte, Practical Move Lead Big Prep Weekend

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.

There is only one major prep races this weekend, which is the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Let’s take a look at the teams heading into this 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. Kelby Von Hemel/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (2/1) 

• Forte – Bang! The champ came back strong with a solid score in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Tapit’s Conquest – He ran ok but could do no better than fourth in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He wasn’t awful; however, he could not hit the board in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• Hit Show – This claim worked out great as he dominated the Withers Stakes (G3).
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he came back to disappoint in two straight Gulfstream Park allowance races.

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 we currently don’t know where he will run next.
• Gun Pilot – He was not good in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing off the board for Steve Asmussen.
• Verifying – He was decent in the Rebel Stakes (G2); however, he could do no better than fourth.
• Red Route One – He closed like he normally does in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing second, which is what he does best.
• Practical Move – He was ultra-impressive in a dominant win in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).

3. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (3/1)

• Arabian Knight – This former Baffert / now Yakteen runner looked like the real deal with a breathtaking win in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. We’ll see him next in the Arkansas Derby (G1) or Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Litigate – It may have not been pretty; however, he was able to cross the wire first in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. He’ll run next in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• 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.
• Kingsbarns – He was impressive once again in a solid allowance win at Tampa Bay Downs. He’ll give the Louisiana Derby (G2) a try at Fair Grounds.
• Banishing – Yikes, he was a complete no-show in a recent Fair Grounds allowance.

4. Jared Welch (6/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent; however, the injury is very concerning. Will he make it back in time? The good news is that he returned to the Asmussen barn. The bad news is he still does not have a workout this year.
• Corona Bolt – He moved 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.
• Tapit Trice – This horse could be the real deal after an ultra-impressive Gulfstream Park allowance score. We’ll see him this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3).
• Carmel Road – The Gotham Stakes (G3) was a total disaster for him as he finished off the board.

5. The Magic Mike Show (10/1) 

• Cave Rock – He is back on the work tab! Could this mean that there’s still time for him to make an impact in this league? He didn’t change over to Yakteen, which likely means 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.
• Tapit Shoes – He nearly won a recent Fair Grounds allowance.
• Rocket Can – This horse continues to improve, running second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
• Eyeing Clover – The newest member of this team ok in the Gotham Stakes (G3); however, could do no better than fourth.

6. Geist (12/1)

• Blazing Sevens – Yikes, he showed up completely empty in an off the board effort in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Instant Coffee – This Brad Cox runner was a solid winner of the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in his 3-year-old debut.
• 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.
• Curly Jack – He did little running in an off-the-board finish in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
• Derma Sotogake – He ran decently in the Saudi Derby and will try to make a bigger impact next time out in the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai.

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 was better last time out; however, he still could not win a Gulfstream Park allowance.
• Reincarnate – Despite a poor trip, he still was solid in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing third.
• 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.

8. Real Dynasty (20/1)

• 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’s been consistent but just has trouble finishing the job, which was shown again in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Dubyuhnell – His effort in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) was a total disaster.
• 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 did not look great in the Saudi 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.
• Jace’s Road – He did very little running in the Southwest Stakes (G3); however, it seems he does not care for the slop.

10. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (50/1) 

• Disarm – He wasn’t awful but could do no better than second in a recent Oaklawn Park allowance.
• 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.
• Hejazi – He set the pace in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) but could not hold on, finishing fourth.
• Angel of Empire – They have a Derby runner!! The newest member of the team looked sharp winning the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Skinner – Despite a poor trip, he was still able to finish third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).