2023 Racing Dudes Triple Crown Fantasy League Update: Triple Crown Season Looms Large

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 the Triple Crown Season:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

There is one claim to announce this week: 

• In a 6-way Shake: The Magic Mike Show CLAIMED First Mission and DROPPED Funtastic Again

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 (8/5) 

• Forte – He got the job done in the Florida Derby (G1) and heads to Kentucky as one of the main favorites.
• Tapit’s Conquest – He was disappointing in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Fort Bragg – He was awful in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Hit Show – He was second in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) despite a wide trip.
• Mr. Ripple – He wasn’t awful in the Florida Derby (G1); however, he could do no better than fourth.

2. Shotty/Davey (2/1)

• National Treasure – He got going late but could do no better than fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Gun Pilot – He ran ok but still could not win the Hot Springs Stakes.
• Verifying – His runner-up effort in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) was the best of his career.
• Red Route One – He did not fire his normal effort and finished off the board in the Arkansas Derby (G1). We’ll see him this weekend in the Bath House Row Stakes.
• Practical Move – This horse has been the star of the team, picking up yet another big victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

3. Jared Welch (3/1) 

• Extra Anejo – He has a world of talent, but he may not have enough time to return from injury and make a Triple Crown race.
• Corona Bolt – He won sprinting once again in a tough stakes race at Keeneland.
• Geaux Rocket Ride – He showed up with a big effort to be second in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), but he got sick and scratched out of the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Tapit Trice – Boom! He improved greatly with a solid win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and will be one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
• Cairo – He was not good in the UAE Derby (G2), finishing off the board.

4. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (8/1)

• Arabian Knight – He is off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Litigate – He is also off the Derby Trail with an injury.
• Slip Mahoney – He wasn’t good in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).
• Kingsbarns – He couldn’t have been more impressive when romping to win the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Banishing – Yikes, he was a complete no-show in a recent Fair Grounds allowance and hasn’t recorded a workout since mid-March.

5. Geist (10/1)

• Blazing Sevens – He improved enough to finish third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
• Instant Coffee – The heavy favorite did little running in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Gulfport – He did little running in a sprint stakes at Keeneland.
• Classic Catch – He did little running in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct.
• Derma Sotogake – Geist hit a home run with this draft pick who impressively won the UAE Derby (G2).

6. Real Dynasty (20/1)

• Giant Mischief – Despite a decent trip, he still finished off the board in the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• Confidence Game – The upset winner of the Rebel Stakes (G2) will train up to the Kentucky Derby (G1).
• Two Phil’s – He picked up a much-needed win for this team in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
• Dubyuhnell – He was nowhere to be found in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Sun Thunder – The newest claim has been consistent all year long while being unable to win.

7. The Magic Mike Show (30/1) 

• Cave Rock – Will he ever race again? His work pattern is inconsistent.
• Arctic Arrogance – He set the pace before fading to fourth in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).
• Henry Q – He was a distant third in the Sunland Park Derby (G3).
• Rocket Can – He was a lackluster fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• First Mission – The newest member of the team is pointed towards the Preakness Stakes (G1) after a solid win in the Lexington Stakes (G3).

8. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (30/1) 

• Disarm – He’s now in the Kentucky Derby (G1) gate after a third-place showing in the Lexington Stakes (G3).
• Cyclone Mischief – He continues to look better and better for this team after a third-place effort in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Hejazi – He could do no better than second in a sprint stakes at Keeneland.
• Angel of Empire – Boom! This team picked up a huge win with this horse in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Skinner – He nearly got there in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), finishing a close third.

9. Aaron Halterman (50/1)

• Arabian Lion – He’s alive! But he was still second in the Lexington Stakes (G3) despite a great trip.
• Victory Formation – He finished off the board as the favorite in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). We’ll see him try earning a spot in the Preakness Stakes (G1) in this weekend’s Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
• Rudder’s Men – He tried the turf and still was poor, finishing off the board in a Tampa Bay Downs stakes.
• Reincarnate – He was a lackluster third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Faustin – He hasn’t recored a workout since February 18.

10. Dan Waite and Michael Myers (50/1) 

• Mandarin Hero – The newest member of the team looked great in a runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Havnameltdown – Likely best as a sprinter, he was an impressive winner of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) before nearly winning the Saudi Derby.
• Continuar – He was second in the UAE Derby (G2) and will run in the Kentucky Derby via the Japan series.
• Mage – This horse continues to improve and finished a solid second in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Jace’s Road – He improved on a dry track to run third in the Louisiana Derby (G2).