2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Team Halterman Wins Early In Smarty Jones, Sham Stakes

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 Kentucky Derby Trail. Let’s check out the latest update:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

– In a 2-way shake: Dan/Michael CLAIMED Jace’s Road and DROPPED Major Dude

– Shotty/Davey CLAIMED Gun Pilot and DROPPED Hoosier Filly

– Jon/Ryan CLAIMED Cyclone Mischief and DROPPED Neural Network

– Jon/Ryan CLAIMED Nuclear and DROPPED Packs a Wahlop

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. Aaron Halterman (3/1)

• Arabian Lion – He was worse than awful in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), finishing last.
• Victory Formation – He picked up a solid looking win to kick off the league 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.
• Reincarnate – Boom! This horse picked up a huge win in the Sham Stakes (G3) at big odds. This was an unexpected bonus.
• Faustin – This recent maiden special weight winner could be a star once they stretch him out in distance.

2. Jared Welch (4/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent; however, the injury is very concerning. Will he make it back in time?
• Corona Bolt – This one looks to have a bright future after a sharp win in the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Fair Grounds.
• Gandolfini – He’s working steadily at Santa Anita after running fourth in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1).
• Tapit Trice – The recent Aqueduct maiden winner might have a big future.
• Carmel Road – He picked up a decent second last time out in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

3. The Magic Mike Show (9/2) 

• 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 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Baffert hopes to run him next in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
• 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.
• Tapit Shoes – He looked solid at second asking for Brad Cox at Fair Grounds to kick off that meet.
• Rocket Can – The horse was recently second in an allowance race at Churchill Downs, losing by a micro-small half-length.
• Phileas Fogg – This impressive debut winner at Fair Grounds looks like he could have a pretty solid future ahead of him.

4. 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 – This Brad Cox runner looked solid winning in his second race at Churchill Downs.
• Fort Bragg – He disappointed in his last start, running third in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
• Gilmore – He broke his maiden at second asking for Bob Baffert at Los Alamitos.
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he came back to disappoint last time out in a Gulfstream Park allowance.

5. Geist (8/1)

• 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).
• Instant Coffee – This Brad Cox runner was a solid winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) in his last start.
• Gulfport – He was disappointing as a 2-year-old but could improve stretching out in distance.
• Curly Jack – He has been solid in a few of the toughest stakes races for 2-year-old’s.
• Derma Sotogake – Geist looks to strike gold with this Japan runner who recently won the local prep in that country.

6. Real Dynasty (10/1)

• Giant Mischief – He was second in the Remington Park Springboard Mile after totally missing the break.
• Fort Warren – One of the many Baffert maiden special weight winners that will look to jump up in class to start 2023.
• Point Proven – It took 3 starts, but this horse looked solid breaking his maiden last time out for Todd Pletcher. We will see him this Friday in an allowance event at Tampa Bay Downs.
• Dubyuhnell – The winner of the Remsen Stakes (G2) seems like value as a fourth round pick.
• Determinedly – He was not great in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds in his last start.

7. Shotty/Davey (10/1)

• National Treasure – His 2023 debut was disappointing as he was a lackluster third in the Sham Stakes (G3).
• Gun Pilot – We will see if this new claim can pick up points immediately in an allowance event at Oaklawn Park.
• Verifying – This Brad Cox runner has a great pedigree and flashed some solid talent at age 2.
• Tshiebwe – He’s still a maiden; however, he improved greatly in his second start. More improvement should lead to a victory.
• Practical Move – Boom! Even though it didn’t count for points in the league, this horse got the new team off to a great start with a win in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

8. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (10/1)

• Arabian Knight – This Baffert runner looked like the real deal on debut at Keeneland.
• Litigate – He could do no better than second in a recent Gulfstream Park allowance.
• 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 is set to debut this Saturday at Gulfstream Park in a maiden special weight going 1 mile.
• Banishing – Look out for this new addition to the team who was ultra-impressive breaking his maiden at Fair Grounds.

9. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (12/1) 

• Loggins – He has massive talent but is also a massive question mark because of an injury.
• Cyclone Mischief – This guy looked awfully impressive winning an allowance race at Gulfstream Park for Dale Romans.
• Hejazi – He is still a maiden; however, he has lost to some solid runners. Longer distances could help his chances.
• Classic Catch – The Todd Pletcher trainee looked sharp in victory at second asking at Aqueduct. We will see him this Friday in a Tampa Bay Downs allowance race.
• Nuclear – This unraced colt could debut this weekend at Santa Anita.

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

• Signator – This horse looked sharp breaking his maiden last time out at Aqueduct and has a pedigree that is extremely solid.
• Havnameltdown – Distance might be a question mark with this one, but he has talent and could win some races for Baffert.
• 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.
• Jace’s Road – He looked solid in the Gun Runner Stakes last time out and could be an up and coming horse for Brad Cox.