2023 Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: It All Begins January 1

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 all the teams as the games are set to begin on January 1:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

The claiming period begins January 2nd!

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. The Magic Mike Show (7/2) 

• 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).
• Arctic Arrogance – The runner-up of the Remsen Stakes (G2) was taken two rounds before the winner. Interesting.
• Tapit Shoes – He looked solid at second asking for Brad Cox at Fair Grounds to kick off their 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 solid debut runner at Fair Grounds looks like he could have a pretty solid future ahead of him.

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).
• Abstract – The debut effort for this one was not good.
• Caramel Road – He picked up a decent second last time out in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

3. Kelby Von Hemel/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (9/2) 

• 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 – This Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee was sharp in a maiden special weight score at Gulfstream Park.

4. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (6/1)

• Arabian Knight – This Baffert runners looked like the real deal on debut at Keeneland.
• Litigate – He was impressive in his debut win at Aqueduct for Todd Pletcher.
• Spun Intended – After a solid second on debut, this horse came back to romp in a maiden special weight at Del Mar for Mark Glatt.
• Kingsbarns – He is working well leading up to a likely debut at Gulfstream Park.
• Gun Pilot – This Steve Asmussen runner looked solid in a debut maiden special weight score at Churchill Donws.

5. Geist (6/1)

• 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 (8/1)

• Giant Mischief – He was second in the Remington Park Springboard Mile; however, he totally missed 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 three races, but this horse looked solid breaking his maiden last time out for Todd Pletcher.
• 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 – We’ll see if this Bob Baffert trainee can progress as a 3-year-old after a solid 2022.
• Hoosier Philly – The filly has looked great against the females; however, she now must step up and face the boys.
• Verifying – This Brad Cox runner has a great pedigree, while he has also flashed some solid talent at times.
• 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. Aaron Halterman (12/1)

• Arabian Lion – He was worse than awful in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), finishing last.
• Victory Formation – This Brad Cox runner is two for two so far and will be looking at stakes company next out.
• Rudder’s Men – This Todd Pletcher runner was solid on debut when breaking his maiden against a few solid runners.
• Reincarnate – It took awhile, but he finally broke his maiden last time out for Baffert at Del Mar. He could be progressing nicely heading into this 3-year-old year.
• Red Route One – He has plenty of experience heading into this 3-year-old season and may have been best in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

9. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (12/1) 

• Loggins – He has massive talent, but also is a massive question mark because of an injury.
• Echo Again – His third place effort in the Remington Park Springboard Mile is not what this team wanted to see.
• Hejazi – He is still a maiden; however, he has been defeated by some solid runners. Longer distances could help his chances, though.
• Classic Catch – The Todd Pletcher trainee looked sharp in victory at second asking at Aqueduct.
• Packs a Wahlop – This horse has been sharp on the turf, but is training on the dirt, and looking to make a move on the Derby Trail in 2023.

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 solid talent, and should 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 coming when returning from a minor injury.
• Major Dude – The team is hoping this solid turf runner can find success when moving over to the dirt in 2023.