2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Final Round Of Kentucky Derby Preps Begins

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 final round of Kentucky Derby prep races begins with the Louisiana Derby (G2), the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), the UAE Derby (G2), and the Sunland Park Derby (G3)!

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• Magic Mike Show CLAIMED Funtastic Again and DROPPED Tapit Shoes
• Magic Mike Show CLAIMED Henry Q and DROPPED Eyeing Clover
• Jared CLAIMED Cairo and DROPPED Carmel Road

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 (9/5) 

• Forte – Bang! The champ came back strong with a solid score in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). The Florida Derby (G1) is next.
• Tapit’s Conquest – He ran ok but could do no better than fourth in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). We’ll see him this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He wasn’t awful; however, he could not hit the board in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). The Sunland Park Derby (G3) is next.
• Hit Show – This claim worked out great as he dominated the Withers Stakes (G3). The Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) is next.
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he disappointed in 2 straight Gulfstream Park allowance races.

2. Shotty/Davey (2/1)

• 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 Blue Grass Stakes (G2).
• 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. The Arkansas Derby (G1) is likely next.
• Red Route One – He closed like he normally does in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing second, which is what he does best. The Arkansas Derby (G1) is likely next.
• 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.

3. Jared Welch (5/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent; however, the time lost due to injury is very concerning. Will he make it back in time to make any impact in the league? The good news is that he returned to the worktab on 3/19.
• 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) next.
• Tapit Trice – He did his job in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3); however, he’ll face tougher horses in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland next.
• Cairo – We’ll see if this recent claim can pay of right away in the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai.

4. The Magic Mike Show (8/1) 

• 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). He stayed with Bob Baffert, though, so 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.
• Henry Q – This new claim is one of the favorites in this weekend’s Sunland Derby (G3).
• Rocket Can – This horse continues to improve, running second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
• Funtastic Again – This new claim moves up in class this weekend in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.

5. Geist (10/1)

• 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. We’ll see him again this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• 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. He’ll try again this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Derma Sotogake – He ran decently in the Saudi Derby and will try to make a bigger impact this week in the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai.

6. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (10/1)

• Arabian Knight – Unfortunately, he is now off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Litigate – Unfortunately, he is now 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.
• Kingsbarns – He was impressive once again in a solid allowance win at Tampa Bay Downs. He’ll give the Louisiana Derby (G2) a try this weekend.
• Banishing – Yikes, he was a complete no-show in a recent Fair Grounds allowance.

7. Aaron Halterman (12/1)

• 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. The Arkansas Derby (G1) is likely next.
• 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 over a month.

8. 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’s been consistent but has trouble finishing the job, which was shown again in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). We should see him this weekend in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
• 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, but he’ll try again this weekend in the UAE Derby (G2).
• 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. He’ll try things again this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

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. He’ll give it another shot this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• 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, and is questionable to continue on the Trail.
• 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). The Santa Anita Derby (G1) is next.