Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2018 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #9 April 4, 2018 Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2018 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #9 April 4, 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. Bolt d’Oro Derby Points/Rank: 64 – 4th Race Record: (5) 4-0-1 Earnings: $816,000 Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – Globe Trot Owner: Ruis Racing LLC Trainer: Mick Ruis Last Race: Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, Finished 1st (via DQ) Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: He was incredible in his 3-year-old debut, the San Felipe, even though he hit the wire just behind McKinzie. The move this horse made on the turn was ultra-impressive, especially so considering it was off of a layoff. Moving forward, he looks to be the real deal and has carried his great 2-year-old form into this season flawlessly. He will look to pick up his second win in a row this weekend in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. 2. Audible Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 1st Race Record: (5) 4-0-1 Earnings: $882,920 Breeding: Into Mischief – Blue Devil Bel Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: You have to believe in him now after another great effort at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. His running style is exactly what you need to win a race like the Kentucky Derby as he can sit close to the pace, and pounce at the right time. He did look to be a little tired towards the end of the race, but at this point it is hard to knock him as he just keeps winning. 3. Good Magic Derby Points/Rank: 34 – 15th 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 this weekend he will show us his real self in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes. 4. Magnum Moon Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 8th Race Record: (3) 3-0-0 Earnings: $577,800 Breeding: Malibu Moon – Dazzling Song Owner: Robert and Lawana Low Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward Analysis: He proved that he was for real with a dominating performance in the Rebel over a deep field. He’s progressing almost identically to that of Always Dreaming last year, and he’s yet to be close to losing a race. The waters will only get deeper from here, but so far, he’s passed every test with flying colors. He’s a legitimate contender. 5. Mendelssohn Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 3rd Race Record: (7) 4-1-0 Earnings: $1,961,137 Breeding: Scat Daddy – Leslie’s Lady Owner: Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Last Race: Group 1 UAE Derby at Meydan Race Course, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward Analysis: With a “wow” performance in the UAE Derby this horse now becomes a serious player. He seems to relish the dirt, and has the pedigree to run all day long. The big question mark will be his ability to buck the trend of UAE Derby winners not running well when coming to Kentucky, but this may be the best horse to win that race and then come to the United States for the Derby. Plus, he has shipped here before, so that could be another advantage. He should be a major player. 6. Solomini Derby Points/Rank: 34 – 16th Race Record: (5) 1-3-1 Earnings: $652,000 Breeding: Curlin – Surf Song Owner: Zayat Stables Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: He performed very well off of the bench in the Rebel, finishing second despite having a poor trip, especially on the turn heading for home. He’s a hard-trying horse that you can count on to give a solid effort each and every time. He’ll likely improve off of that effort in his next start this weekend in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. 7. Justify Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $66,000 Breeding: Scat Daddy – Stage Magic Owner: China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Allowance Race at Santa Anita, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: Right now, I’m trying to stay as grounded as possible with a horse that looks to be an absolute freak of nature. He is two-for-two and has been about as impressive as a horse can be, but he has several factors working against him as far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned. Namely, can he break the Curse of Apollo? Let’s see how he does this weekend in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, which will be a make or break race for him. 8. Noble Indy Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 2nd Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $691,600 Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Noble Maz Owner: WinStar Farm and Repole Stable Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: He looked to be completely defeated in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, yet somehow re-rallied up the rail to win the race after being passed by Lone Sailor. Todd Pletcher has described this horse as “still green,” but there does seem to be a lot of talent with this one. He also should get better as the distances get longer, which will be to his advantage in the Triple Crown races. 9. Instilled Regard Derby Points/Rank: 19 – 30th 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 multiple times between Fair Grounds and his base in California took its toll on him. He’ll look to rebound in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby against tough foes Justify and Bolt d’Oro. 10. My Boy Jack Derby Points/Rank: 32 – 17th Race Record: (9) 2-3-2 Earnings: $525,145 Breeding: Creative Cause – Gold N Shaft Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables LLC Trainer: Keith Desormeaux Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: His come-from-behind move in the Louisiana Derby was something special. He rallied furiously from the back of the pack, but he couldn’t sustain it the entire stretch and hung late, finishing third. Still, he proved to be a legitimate horse on the dirt, and that type of move is going to be dangerous in the Kentucky Derby. He has become a logical underneath candidate. 11. Combatant Derby Points/Rank: 22 – 22nd Race Record: (6) 1-3-1 Earnings: $338,550 Breeding: Scat Daddy – Border Dispute Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: The Lookin At Lee of 2018 continued on a similar path in the Rebel, finishing third. He’s hit the board in four straight Kentucky Derby prep races, but he just can’t seem to have things go his way enough to pick up a win. His Rebel effort was another positive start, though, and he should continue to make an impact along the Kentucky Derby trail. 12. Flameaway Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 18th Race Record: (8) 5-1-0 Earnings: $504,834 Breeding: Scat Daddy – Vulcan Rose Owner: John C. Oxley Trainer: Mark Casse Last Race: Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes winner backed up that effort with a strong showing in the Tampa Bay Derby. He may not be the strongest horse as far as a win contender, but you have to like how he showed that he could stalk the pace and still come with a nice run in his latest start. We’ll see if he can keep it going this weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes. 13. Hofburg Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 14th Race Record: (3) 1-1-0 Earnings: $223,800 Breeding: Tapit – Soothing Touch Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc. Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Earned a ton of respect for finishing second in a grade 1 race despite just breaking his maiden a few weeks ago. His lack of experience will be an issue in Kentucky, but this could be a horse to keep an eye later in the season. 14. Quip Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 10th Race Record: (4) 3-0-0 Earnings: $282,800 Breeding: Distorted Humor – Princess Ash Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset Last Race: Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: This son of Distorted Humor is officially into the Kentucky Derby after a shocking upset in the Tampa Bay Derby. The good news is that he should get better in his next start, as his Tampa effort came off of a fairly long layoff. He could move up the rankings if he does indeed improve further this weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes. 15. Enticed Derby Points/Rank: 63 – 5th Race Record: (5) 3-0-1 Earnings: $410,680 Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – It’s Tricky Owner: Godolphin Racing, LLC Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin Last Race: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: A tremendous bounce-back race in the Gotham puts him back in contention. That race came at only a mile, though, so we will need to see how he reacts when stretching out in distance before we rank him any higher. Let’s see what he shows us this weekend in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. 16. Lone Sailor Derby Points/Rank: 42 – 11th Race Record: (8) 1-3-1 Earnings: $334,237 Breeding: Majestic Warrior – Ambitious Owner: G M B Racing Trainer: Tom Amoss Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: There were many people who hyped Lone Sailor in the Louisiana Derby. He somehow lived up to it, finishing second by only a head. That finish might have earned him a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, but it’s unlikely that he makes much of an impact. 17. Promises Fulfilled Derby Points/Rank: 52 – 7th Race Record: (5) 3-0-1 Earnings: $337,280 Breeding: Shackleford – Marquee Delivery Owner: Robert J. Baron Trainer: Dale Romans Last Race: Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Finished 9th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Engaged in a wicked pace duel in the Florida Derby with Strike Power, and basically had no chance after that as both the speed horses faded to finish last and second to last. The horse will play a factor in every race he enters this his early speed, but must learn to control it. 18. Runaway Ghost Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 9th Race Record: (7) 4-2-0 Earnings: $563,510 Breeding: Ghostzapper – Rose’s Desert Owner: Joe Peacock Trainer: Todd Fincher Last Race: Grade 3 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: The local hero rose to the occasion to win the Grade 3 Sunland Derby and solidified his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. He’s proven to be a very nice horse, but it remains to be seen if he can match up with the top-class horses in the crop. Pay attention to how Reride does in Dubai this weekend. 19. Bravazo Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 6th Race Record: (8) 3-1-1 Earnings: $436,528 Breeding: Awesome Again – Tiz o’ Gold Owner: Calumet Farm Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 8th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: The Louisiana Derby was a complete disaster for Bravazo. He tried to lug out the entire race, and you could tell that he was never comfortable. The good news is that he was sound afterward and looks to still be moving forward to the Kentucky Derby. Draw a line through that last effort. 20. Gronkowski Derby Points/Rank: European Qualifier Race Record: (6) 4-1-0 Earnings: $135,644 Breeding: Lonhro – Four Sugars Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited Trainer: Jeremy Noseda Last Race: Burradon Stakes at Newcastle, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: He has qualified for the Kentucky Derby by means of rule that needs to be changed. He does not look like he belongs, but may take a lot of money on Kentucky Derby day because of his name, which is good for serious players who know he is a toss.
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