2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Huge Kentucky Derby Prep Weekend Ahead

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.

There are four major prep races this weekend: the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), San Felipe Stakes (G2), Gotham Stakes (G3), and John Battaglia Memorial Stakes. Let’s take a look at the teams:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

– Magic Mike Show CLAIMED Eyeing Clover and DROPPED Expect More

– Paul “Free Beers” Withrow CLAIMED Slip Mahoney and DROPPED Spun Intended

– Dan/Michael CLAIMED Mage and DROPPED Awesome Strong 

– Real Dynasty CLAIMED Confidence Game and DROPPED Harlocap

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 (3/1)

• Arabian Knight – This former Baffert / now Yakteen runner looked like the real deal with a breathtaking win in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. We’ll see him next in the Arkansas Derby (G1) or Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Litigate – It may have not been pretty; however, he was able to cross the wire first in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. He’ll run next in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Slip Mahoney – The newest member of the team will try to get points right away this weekend in the Gotham Stakes (G3).
• Kingsbarns – He was impressive once again in a solid allowance win at Tampa Bay Downs. He’ll give the Louisiana Derby (G2) a try at Fair Grounds.
• Banishing – Yikes, he was a complete no-show in a recent Fair Grounds allowance.

2. Kelby Von Hemel/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (7/2) 

• Forte – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner heads into 2023 as the Kentucky Derby favorite. We’ll see if he comes back strong this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Tapit’s Conquest – He ran ok but could do no better than fourth in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He’s back this weekend at Santa Anita in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• Hit Show – This claim worked out great as he dominated the Withers Stakes (G3).
• Mr. Ripple – After a solid debut win, he came back to disappoint last time out in a Gulfstream Park allowance. He will try again this week in an allowance at Gulfstream Park.

3. Geist (4/1)

• 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). He’s will have his 3-year-old debut this weekend 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.
• 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.
• Derma Sotogake – He ran decently in the Saudi Derby and will try to make a bigger impact next time out in the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai.

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. The bad news is he still does not have a workout this year.
• Corona Bolt – His two-turn debut was a disaster, finishing off the board in the Southwest Stakes (G3).
• Geaux Rocket Ride – He was sharp in his debut victory for solid connections and will now look to jump onto the Kentucky Derby trail in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) this weekend.
• 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). The Gotham Stakes (G3) is next for him.

5. Shotty/Davey (6/1)

• National Treasure – His 2023 debut was disappointing as he was a lackluster third in the Sham Stakes (G3). We’ll see if he can bounce back this weekend in the San Felipe 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.
• Red Route One – He closed like he normally does in the Rebel Stakes (G2), finishing second, which is what he does best.
• 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). We’ll see him this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).

6. The Magic Mike Show (8/1) 

• Cave Rock – We have 2 workouts!! Could this mean that there’s still time for him to make an impact in this league? He didn’t change over to Yakteen, which likely means 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. We’ll see if he can do it again in the Gotham Stakes (G3).
• Tapit Shoes – He nearly won a recent Fair Grounds allowance.
• Rocket Can – He picked up a much-needed win for this team in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. We’ll see him this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Eyeing Clover – The newest member of this team in an undefeated 2-for-2 for trainer Brad Cox. We’ll see him in the Gotham Stakes (G3) this weekend.

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.
• 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.

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 just has trouble finishing the job, which was shown again in the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• 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 (20/1) 

• 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.
• Mage – The newest member of the team runs this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
• 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 (30/1) 

• Disarm – He wasn’t awful but could do no better than second in a recent Oaklawn Park allowance.
• Cyclone Mischief – He showed up with a total non-effort in an off-the-board finish in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3). He’ll try again this weekend in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Hejazi – He is a maiden no more after a solid win at Santa Anita Park. We’ll see him this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• Angel of Empire – They have a Derby runner!! The newest member of the team looked sharp winning the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
• Skinner – This recent maiden winner will try to keep it rolling this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.