2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Risen Star Stakes Up Next

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.

The Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds looms large this weekend, with some teams also fielding allowance runners and maidens throughout the week. Let’s check out the latest update:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

There are three claims to announce this week:
– In a 2-way shake: Jared CLAIMED Geaux Rocket Ride and DROPPED Gandolfini

 – Jon/Ryan CLAIMED Skinner and DROPPED Nuclear

– Real Dynasty CLAIMED Harlocap and DROPPED Fort Warren

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. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (3/1)

• Arabian Knight – This Baffert runner looked like the real deal with a breathtaking win in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
• 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.
• Spun Intended – Disaster struck for this horse as he pulled up injured in the Sham Stakes (G3). Thankfully, it was not life-threatening.
• Kingsbarns – He was impressive once again in a solid allowance win at Tampa Bay Downs.
• Banishing – He is back this weekend in an allowance race at Fair Grounds.

2. Kelby Von Hemel/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (7/2) 

• Forte – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner heads into 2023 as the Kentucky Derby favorite.
• Tapit’s Conquest – He ran ok, but he looked green and could do no better than second in a recent Fair Grounds allowance race. We’ll see him this weekend in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
• Fort Bragg – He’s back on the work tab, which is good news and a sign he could be entered soon.
• Hit Show – This claim worked out great as Hit Show dominated the Withers Stakes (G3).
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he came back to disappoint last time out in a Gulfstream Park allowance.

3. Geist (9/2)

• Blazing Sevens – Geist loves Chad Brown, which explains why he drafted this horse who was fourth last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He’s had several workouts this year as he progresses towards his 2023 debut.
• 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 was solid in a few of the toughest stakes races for 2-year-olds and is scheduled to return in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds this weekend.
• Derma Sotogake – Geist looks to strike gold with this Japan runner who recently won the local prep in that country.

4. Jared Welch (5/1) 

• 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 – His two-turn debut was a disaster, finishing off the board in the Southwest Stakes (G3).
• Geaux Rocket Ride – He was sharp in his debut victory for solid connections and will now look to jump onto the Kentucky Derby trail in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• Tapit Trice – This horse could be the real deal after an ultra-impressive Gulfstream Park allowance score.
• Carmel Road – He picked up a decent second last time out in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

5. Aaron Halterman (6/1)

• 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 picked up a solid-looking victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes. We will see him again this weekend in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
• Rudder’s Men – This much-hyped horse stopped badly and finished off the board in a recent Gulfstream Park allowance. He is back on the work tab, which is at least some good news.
• Reincarnate – Boom! This horse picked up a huge win in the Sham Stakes (G3) at big odds. That was an unexpected bonus for a 4th-round pick.
• Faustin – He was second in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), which showed that he needs to stretch out before we see him at his best.

6. The Magic Mike Show (8/1) 

• Cave Rock – We have a workout!! Could this mean there is still time for him to make an impact in this league?
• 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 is back this weekend in another allowance race at Fair Grounds.
• Rocket Can – He picked up a much-needed win for this team in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
• Expect More – The newest member of this team could do no better than third in a recent Gulfstream Park maiden race.

7. Shotty/Davey (8/1)

• National Treasure – His 2023 debut was disappointing as he was a lackluster third in the Sham Stakes (G3).
• Gun Pilot – He picked up an impressive allowance win at Oaklawn Park and should go to a prep race off of that effort.
• Verifying – He romped in an Oaklawn Park allowance race while earning a 97 Beyer for the effort.
• Tshiebwe – He could do no better than second in a recent Gulfstream Park maiden race.
• Practical Move – Even though it didn’t count for points in the league, this horse got the league’s newest team off to a great start with a win in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). However, we have not seen him since.

8. Real Dynasty (12/1)

• Giant Mischief – He was second in the Remington Park Springboard Mile after totally missing the break.
• Harlocap – The newest member of the team looks to have a big shot in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Two Phil’s – The newest member of the team was recently a solid second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds. He’ll try it again this weekend in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.
• Dubyuhnell – His effort in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) was a total disaster.
• Determinedly – He picked up a nice win in a recent Fair Grounds allowance race. We’ll see if he can make an impact this weekend in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).

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

• 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).
• Continuar – This Japanese runner won the first local Kentucky Derby prep in Japan.
• Awesome Strong – Look for this Florida-bred to face open company when returning from a minor injury. However, he is not expected to start working out again until March.
• 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 – The newest member of the team returns in a Fair Grounds allowance race this weekend for Steve Asmussen after being off since August.
• Cyclone Mischief – He showed up with a total non-effort in an off-the-board finish in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3).
• Hejazi – He is a maiden no more after a solid win at Santa Anita Park. Hopefully we see him in a prep race soon.
• Classic Catch – He disappointed in a recent Tampa Bay Downs allowance race.
• Skinner – This recent maiden winner is likely to start in a Kentucky Derby prep next time out at Santa Anita.