Fantasy League Final: Team Welch WINS, Saratoga Slim Finishes LAST

It’s finally over!

After many ups and downs along the way, the 2020-2021 Triple Crown Fantasy League has come to a close. Team Welch prevailed with the championship, becoming the first two-time champion since the league expanded. That’s bad news for Saratoga Slim, who finished last and will be punished with a crazy outfit that he must wear on Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup.

Let’s take a look at the final standing and analysis: 

Final Standings

Final Analysis 

1. Jared Welch

• Highly Motivated – He was a solid first round pick; however, he never won a race.
• Hot Rod Charlie – This was the star of the team who had an ultra-consistent season.
• Ghazaaly – He never lived up to the hype of his price tag, only winning 1 race, a maiden at Keeneland.
• Donegal Bay – Another Pletcher horse who did very little running.
• Class Reunion – The filly was never close to breaking her maiden.

2. Aaron Halterman

• Collaborate – This claim was terrible and ultimately cost this team winning the league.
• Jackie’s Warrior – He didn’t make an impact on the Kentucky Derby Trail, but at least he earned some points sprinting.
• Parnelli – He sucked all year; however, he did pick up a few points along the way.  
• Whiskey Double – Another sprinter who earned a few points throughout the season.
• Rombauer – He’ll go down as one of the best fifth-round picks ever after winning the Preakness Stakes (G1) and finishing third in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

3. The Killer Bs 

• Mandaloun – They drafted the eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in the first round, which was a great accomplishment. 
• The Great One – He never could get back to his maiden score after this team claimed him. 
• Nova Rags – He was ok; however, he just wasn’t good enough to compete with the top horses.
• Lemom Pop – The Japanese runner never made a start for this team.  
• Get Her Number – He was never close to winning any of his 3 starts.

4. Dan “Wise Dan” Waite

• Essential Quality – It’s hard to believe this team owned Essential Quality and didn’t win the league. Truly incredible. 
• Nicky the Vest – This was the worst claim in league history.
• Team Merchants – The Doug O’Neill runner never got going.
• Wolfie’s Dynaghost – Injuries set this horse back and caused him to never make an impact.
• Drain the Clock – This sprinter turned out to be a pretty solid claim.

5. Jon White/Ryan Stillman 

• Rock Your World – This claim worked out well in the beginning; however, he was truly awful in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Rebel’s Romance – He was a poor claim after having a small setback and missing the Belmont Stakes (G1). 
• Known Agenda – Another solid claim early for this team after he won the Florida Derby (G1), he also struggled in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Concert Tour – He went the opposite direction after a great start to the season.
• Dream Shake – He went backwards after an amazing maiden special weight debut.  

6. Real Dynasty

• Keepmeinmind – This first round pick was never able to win a race; however, he did earn them a decent amount of points.
• Helium – This sneaky claim ended up being one of the best of the year.
• Soup and Sandwich – He was also a very good claim for this team.
• Weyburn – This claim didn’t work out nearly as well, though, as he did little running after his Gotham Stakes (G3) win.
• Proxy – He was disappointing after a promising beginning to his season.  

7. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow

• Brooklyn Strong – This first round pick just kept having setbacks, which caused him to never get going.
• Promise Keeper – This was a good claim; however, he needed him to run in the Belmont Stakes (G1). 
• Medina Spirit – If not for his disqualification in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Paul would have won the league.
• Triple Tap – He’s become the “milk carton” horse…where is he?
• Malathaat – Paul tried to get proactive with this claim; however, she decided to skip the Belmont.

8. The Magic Mike Show 

• Prime Factor – Let’s just say this first round pick didn’t work out very well.
• Easy Time – This draft pick also did not work out very well.
• Starrininmydreams – This horse is not very good, but at least he earned this team some valuable points.  
• Regular Guy – Is he the worst horse in fantasy league history?  
• Midnight Bourbon – This smart claim kept this team out of last place.  

9. Evil Steveil and Austin Elsey 

• Classier – This first round pick never even started in a race.
• Spielberg – His second in the Southwest Stakes (G3) finish ultimately helped keep this team out of last place.
• Freedom Fighter – He went the opposite direction for this team.
• Greatest Honour – This was a great claim; however, his injury ended any chance they had of making a run at winning.
• Manor House – He ran once, was horrific, and was never heard from again.

10. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector

• Speaker’s Corner – This first round pick never started.
• Caddo River – He started off great but ended up making no impact past January.
• Savile Row – Another horse who never started in a race for this team.
• Risk Taking – He had one good moment but never showed he was good enough to compete against decent competition.
• Candy Man Rocket – This claim caused him to finish last, mainly because in order to get him, Slim dropped Known Agenda – the eventual Florida Derby (G1) winner.

Thanks for following along this year. We’ll be back in December with the 2022 Triple Crown Fantasy League draft!