Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2018 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #5 March 7, 2018 Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2018 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #5 March 7, 2018 By: Aaron Halterman twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Welcome to the 2018 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse. You can also visit our Kentucky Derby page for loads of information including the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, our Derby Trail Tracker, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more! 1. McKinzie Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 6th Race Record: (3) 3-0-0 Earnings: $270,000 Breeding: Street Sense – Runway Model Owner: Watson, Pegram, and Weitman Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: He’s still the most hyped of all of Baffert’s 3-year-olds, and that means a lot, as he continues to show up with star horses each week. This week will be the big test for our new number-one horse: he runs in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes against Bolt d’Oro. With a win, McKinzie will confirm his status as Baffert’s number-one horse and become the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. 2. Solomini Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 11th Race Record: (4) 1-2-1 Earnings: $472,000 Breeding: Curlin – Surf Song Owner: Zayat Stables Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos, Finished 3rd (via DQ) Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: This son of Curlin exudes class with runner-up finishes in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. In his most recent start, he crossed the wire first but was disqualified in a very controversial call. That race has already produced FOUR total next-out winners, which flatters Solomini in a big way. He’s on target for the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 17. 3. Bolt d’Oro Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 9th Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $576,000 Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – Globe Trot Owner: Ruis Racing LLC Trainer: Mick Ruis Last Race: Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes at Del Mar, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: He had the most talent of this crop as a 2-year-old, but a tough trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile caused him to finish third. However, he is a multiple Grade 1 winner and has won in dominating fashion. A jockey switch to Javier Castellano is a major bonus, too, and he’s set to make his 2018 debut in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita this weekend. It should be a great showdown between he and McKinzie. 4. Audible Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 19th Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $287,720 Breeding: Into Mischief – Blue Devil Bel Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: After facing lessor competition at Aqueduct, it was questionable how he would handle the jump up in class, but he passed the test with flying colors, bursting onto the scene with a major score in the Holy Bull. He now has to be considered a serious player and is perhaps Pletcher’s best prospect at the moment. 5. Avery Island Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 13th Race Record: (5) 3-1-0 Earnings: $365,332 Breeding: Street Sense – Kinda Spicy Owner: Godolphin Racing Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin Last Race: Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: Avery Island had a tremendous 2018 debut, easily taking home the Withers. It looks as though he’s now pointed towards the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 24. That race will by at a 1 1/8 miles, which seems to be what he likes to do best. His training is going as well as it possibly could leading up to the race. 6. Good Magic Derby Points/Rank: 34 – 3rd Race Record: (4) 1-2-1 Earnings: $1,225,000 Breeding: Curlin – Glinda the Good Owner: e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables Trainer: Chad Brown Last Race: Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward Analysis: Uh oh… the Juvenile champion returned in the Fountain of Youth, but he looked far from a champion. After stalking the pace in perfect position, he was empty when turning for home and finished a distant third. He ran like a horse that was not 100% primed, so perhaps he’ll bounce back in his next start, which will likely be in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes. 7. Free Drop Billy Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 10th Race Record: (6) 2-3-0 Earnings: $495,220 Breeding: Union Rags – Trensa Owner: Albaugh Family Stables Trainer: Dale Romans Last Race: Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: He ran well to finish second in the Holy Bull after a layoff that followed a very disappointing effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. His race at the Breeders’ Cup was the only time that he’s ever finished off the board, so he has to be considered a major player. He’ll likely improve in his next start, which comes this week in the Grade 2 Gotham Stakes. 8. Catholic Boy Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 12th Race Record: (5) 3-1-0 Earnings: $354,000 Breeding: More Than Ready – Song 0f Bernadette Owner: Robert LaPenta Trainer: Jonathan Thomas Last Race: Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “The Fan Man” Waite Analysis: He made his 2018 debut in the Sam F. Davis, and while he didn’t run poorly, it was disappointing that he couldn’t pass Flameaway in the stretch and had to settle for second. There’s still reason to be optimistic, but he must improve in his next race. 9. Sporting Chance Derby Points/Rank: 2 – 29th Race Record: (4) 2-1-1 Earnings: $319,140 Breeding: Tiznow – Wynning Ride Owner: Robert Baker and William Mack Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Last Race: Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: Many may think that he’s ranked too highly after finishing third in his 2018 debut race, but he should improve off of that effort next time out. His trip in the Southwest was less than ideal, and the sloppy track played strongly to horses on the inside. The race was just what he needed going forward. 10. Bravazo Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 1st Race Record: (7) 3-1-1 Earnings: $426,528 Breeding: Awesome Again – Tiz o’ Gold Owner: Calumet Farm Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: The Coach is back in the Derby! Bravazo shipped to Fair Grounds for the Risen Star and pulled off a 21-1 upset over a field loaded with Kentucky Derby prospects. The Awesome Again colt has developed greatly as a 3-year-old. He’s now two-for-two in 2018 and will likely return to Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby. 11. Firenze Fire Derby Points/Rank: 24 – 4th Race Record: (7) 4-1-0 Earnings: $589,100 Breeding: Poseidon’s Warrior – My Every Wish Owner: Mr. Amore Stable Trainer: Jason Servis Last Race: Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: This solid, consistent horse has been steady in both of his 2018 starts. As a juvenile, he won the $150,000 Jerome Stakes, then had a nice run in the Withers to finish second. He might be best when going one turn, but his 1 1/8-mile Withers performance shows that he is at least serviceable when going longer. He’ll get back to one turn this week in the Grade 2 Gotham Stakes. 12. Instilled Regard Derby Points/Rank: 19 – 8th Race Record: (6) 2-2-1 Earnings: $244,000 Breeding: Arch – Enhancing Owner: OXO Equine Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 4th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: His fourth-place effort in the Risen Star left a lot to be desired, but it wasn’t enough to remove him from the rankings completely. He seemed a little dull in the race, but he still managed to run well enough to be close to the leaders in the end. Perhaps shipping back and forth to Fair Grounds from California took its toll on him. 13. Snapper Sinclair Derby Points/Rank: 22 – 5th Race Record: (6) 2-1-1 Earnings: $352,360 Breeding: City Zip – True Addiction Owner: Bloom Racing Stable LLC (Jeffery Bloom) Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: This is one tough colt. He fought on to a solid third-place finish in the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes two races back, then nearly won the Risen Star, losing by a nose while battling Bravazo all the way down the stretch. His early speed and staying power will make him tough in any race that he enters. 14. Tiz Mischief Derby Points/Rank: 6 – 22nd Race Record: (5) 1-2-1 Earnings: $121,600 Breeding: Into Mischief – Indivia Owner: Frank L. Jones Jr. Trainer: Dale Romans Last Race: Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Although he was a distant third in the Holy Bull, he might improve off of his next start, as Romans horses usually succeed with more and more racing experience. He is a drop-back-and-make-one-run type that can win when the pace gets hot up front. 15. Noble Indy Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 21st Race Record: (3) 2-0-1 Earnings: $91,600 Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Noble Maz Owner: WinStar Farm and Repole Stable Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: The Risen Star was a solid first try for him against stakes company. He ran well to finish third while up against a small track bias and he has a right to improve as he goes forward. At this point, all options are on the table as to where he’ll start next. 16. Vino Rosso Derby Points/Rank: 2 – 35th Race Record: (3) 2-1-0 Earnings: $68,000 Breeding: Curlin – Mythical Bride Owner: Repole Stables and St. Elias Stables Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “The Fan Man” Waite Analysis: He ran well enough to catch our attention in the Sam F. Davis and is a horse that should love going longer. He has a chance to really excel when it means the most. Jockey John Velazquez has already committed to ride him in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby this weekend. 17. Combatant Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 16th Race Record: (5) 1-3-0 Earnings: $248,550 Breeding: Scat Daddy – Border Dispute Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: Could this be the Lookin At Lee of 2018? He’s finished second in three straight Kentucky Derby prep races, but he just can’t seem to have things go his way enough to pick up a win. His Southwest effort was another positive start, and he should continue to make an impact along the Kentucky Derby trail. 18. Promises Fulfilled Derby Points/Rank: 52 – 2nd Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $327,280 Breeding: Shackleford – Marquee Delivery Owner: Robert J. Baron Trainer: Dale Romans Last Race: Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: He pulled off a shocking 18-1 upset over champion Good Magic in the Fountain of Youth. The track at Gulfstream Park certainly favored speed, but he reminded me a lot of his sire, Shackleford, by going straight to the front and showing heart to hold on for the victory. He could be an improving horse that’s ready to make some noise this year. 19. My Boy Jack Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 15th Race Record: (8) 2-3-1 Earnings: $425,145 Breeding: Creative Cause – Gold N Shaft Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables LLC Trainer: Keith Desormeaux Last Race: Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: He got things exactly like he needed them in the Southwest, as the track at Oaklawn was favoring inside speed. Jockey Kent Desormeaux never left the rail, and My Boy Jack simply crushed them in the stretch. If he can repeat that kind of performance on a dry track, then he’ll be dangerous, but he must prove that he can do so first. 20. Magnum Moon Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $37,800 Breeding: Malibu Moon – Dazzling Song Owner: Robert and Lawana Low Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Allowance Race at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward Analysis: He looks like the Always Dreaming of 2018 after picking up two nice victories in a row, including an allowance race at Tampa Bay where he basically schooled behind horses before winning for fun down the stretch. After passing that test with flying colors, he’s now being pointed towards a Derby prep race. However, he’s also racing against the clock, as he has just two starts, none of which came as a 2-year-old.
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