2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: One Major Derby Prep Weekend Remains

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 the Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby.

Current Standings

Recent Claims

There is one claim to announce this week: 

– Dan/Michael CLAIMED Classic Car Wash and DROPPED Signator

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 did it again! Forte got the job done in the Florida Derby (G1) and heads to Kentucky as the favorite.
• Tapit’s Conquest – He was disappointing again in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He was awful in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Hit Show – This claim worked out great as he dominated the Withers Stakes (G3). The Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) is up next for him this weekend.
• Mr. Ripple – He wasn’t awful in the Florida Derby (G1); however, he could do no better than fourth.

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 Santa Anita Derby (G1) this weekend.
• Gun Pilot – He ran ok but still could not win 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 (G1) is next for him this weekend.
• Red Route One – He did not fire his normal effort and finished off the board in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• 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 this weekend.

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). We will see if he can rebound this weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
• Instant Coffee – The heavy favorite did little running in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Gulfport – He was disappointing at the end of his 2-year-old campaign but could improve stretching out in distance. His workouts are decent as they look to hit the reset button with him.
• Classic Catch – The newest claim looks to cash in this 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 – He is off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Litigate – He is also 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 for him this weekend.
• 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. Jared Welch (8/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent; however, the time lost due to injury is very concerning. The good news is that he returned to the worktab on 3/19. The bad news is that he may not have enough time to make it to a Triple Crown race.
• 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) this weekend.
• Tapit Trice – He did his job in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3); however, he’ll face tougher horses in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland this weekend.
• Cairo – He was not good in the UAE Derby (G2), finishing off the board.

6. The Magic Mike Show (15/1) 

• 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) this weekend. He stayed with Bob Baffert, so the Kentucky Derby is not an option.
• Arctic Arrogance – He was second once again in the Withers Stakes (G3); finishing second seems to be what he likes to do. We should see him this weekend in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct.
• Henry Q – This new claim was a distance third in the Sunland Park Derby (G3).
• Rocket Can – He was a lackluster fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Funtastic Again – This new claim was a distant third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.

7. 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 – He was nowhere to be found in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Determinedly – He was nowhere to be found in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) after setting the pace.

8. Dan Waite and Michael Myers (30/1) 

• Classic Car Wash – The newest member of the team will try to pic up points this weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).
• 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).

9. 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 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 – Boom! This team picked up a huge win with this horse 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 for him this weekend.

10. Aaron Halterman (30/1)

• 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.