2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Sam F. Davis, Withers Headline Derby Prep Races

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 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs and the rescheduled Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct loom large, 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 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. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (4/1)

• Arabian Knight – This Baffert runner looked like the real deal with a breathtaking win in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
• Litigate – He could do no better than second in a recent Gulfstream Park allowance. He fired two bullet works since that loss, though, and is expected to run in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) this weekend.
• 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 very impressive breaking his maiden at first asking at Gulfstream Park.
• Banishing – A very minor injury forced him to miss a recent start, but he should be back on the Risen Star Stakes (G2) undercard at Fair Grounds.

2. 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 had his first work of the year on 1/21.
• 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.
• Derma Sotogake – Geist looks to strike gold with this Japan runner who recently won the local prep in that country.

3. The Magic Mike Show (5/1) 

• Cave Rock – He was all the rage heading into the Breeders’ Cup; however, he did not live up to the hype when running second in the Juvenile (G1). Still no workouts for this one yet…not a great sign
• Arctic Arrogance – It was another runner-up performance for this one as he could do no better than second in the Jerome Stakes, losing by a micro-small half-length. We will see him again this weekend in the Withers Stakes (G3).
• Tapit Shoes – He ran poorly in a recent Fair Grounds allowance race.
• 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.

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.
• Corona Bolt – His two-turn debut was a disaster, finishing off the board in the Southwest Stakes (G3).
• Gandolfini – No works since 12/9 is a pretty bad sign for this one.
• 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.
• 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. Kelby Von Hemel/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (6/1) 

• 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.
• Fort Bragg – He’s back on the work tab, which is good news, and a sign he could be entered soon.
• Hit Show – We’ll see the newest member of this team this weekend in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he came back to disappoint last time out in a Gulfstream Park allowance.

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 (10/1)

• Giant Mischief – He was second in the Remington Park Springboard Mile after totally missing the break.
• Fort Warren – He was a distant third in the San Vicente Stakes (G2).
• Two Phil’s – The newest member of the team was recently a solid second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.
• Dubyuhnell – The winner of the Remsen Stakes (G2) seems like value as a fourth round pick. We’ll see him this weekend at Tampa Bay Downs in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).
• Determinedly – He picked up a nice win in a recent Fair Grounds allowance race.

9. Dan Waite and Michael Myers (15/1) 

• Signator – This horse looked sharp breaking his maiden at Aqueduct and has a pedigree that is extremely solid.
• 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 (20/1) 

• Disarm – The newest member of the team is on the work tab at Fair Grounds 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.
• Classic Catch – He disappointed in a recent Tampa Bay Downs allowance race.
• Nuclear – This unraced colt should debut soon after several solid workouts.