Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #1 February 6, 2019 Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #1 February 6, 2019 By: Aaron Halterman twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Welcome to the 2019 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! Here is our very first set of Kentucky Derby Rankings for the 2019 season: 1. Improbable Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 11th Race Record: (3) 3-0-0 Earnings: $269,520 Breeding: City Zip – Rare Event Owner: China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: It can’t be this easy, right? The owners of Justify are back once again, this time with Improbable, who looks an awful lot like the 2018 Triple Crown winner. He is a perfect 3-for-3 so far while never being challenged. Currently, he is working well at Santa Anita in preparation for his 2019 debut. 2. Game Winner Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 1st Race Record: (4) 4-0-0 Earnings: $1,496,000 Breeding: Candy Ride – Indyan Giving Owner: Gary and Mary West Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner is getting set for his 2019 debut with several solid works at Santa Anita. He can become the third Juvenile winner to win the Kentucky Derby and is especially dangerous with Baffert on his side. There is no doubt that if the Derby was today, he would win; however, can he continue to develop and peak at the right time? 3. Mucho Gusto Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 6th Race Record: (4) 3-1-0 Earnings: $234,000 Breeding: Mucho Macho Man – Itsagiantcauseway Owner: Michael Lund Peterson Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Group 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: This is both the third-best Baffert horse and the third-ranked horse on our Top 20 list, and that shows Baffert’s strength and depth. Mucho Gusto has an advantage over the top two horses in his own barn, though, as he made his 2019 debut a winning one in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. 4. Instagrand Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $144,000 Breeding: Into Mischief – Assets of War Owner: OXO Equine LLC Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Last Race: Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: Instagrand is all the rage; however, I’m suggesting we tap on the breaks just a bit. I’m in love with his talent, but we are talking about a horse that has never been around two runs or raced since August of last year. His first race as a 3-year-old is going to be ultra-important. You can’t go crazy about him until you see how he has developed off of this lengthy layoff. 5. Hidden Scroll Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (1) 1-0-0 Earnings: $31,800 Breeding: Hard Spun – Sheba Queen Owner: Juddmonte Farms, INC. Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Maiden Special Weight at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: From a visual standpoint, this horse looks like one of the crop’s best; however, he has just one race under his belt, which came over a sloppy track. Hidden Scroll earned an eye-popping 104 Beyer for his debut effort, which has all of us buzzing, but now he must prove that he can repeat that effort against better company, and on dry land. The potential is definitely there, though. 6. War of Will Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 13th Race Record: (6) 2-1-1 Earnings: $251,569 Breeding: War Front – Visions of Clarity Owner: Gary Barber Trainer: Mark Casse Last Race: Grade 3 LeComte Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: So far, he is 2-for-2 on the dirt while never even being challenged. His Grade 3 LeComte Stakes win was very impressive and elevated him to this position. He can move up the ranks even further with a repeat performance in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes in a couple of weeks at Fair Grounds. 7. Signalman Derby Points/Rank: 18 – 3rd Race Record: (5) 2-2-1 Earnings: $448,990 Breeding: General Quarters – Trip South Owner: Tommie Lewis, David A. Bernsen LLC, and Magdalena Racing Trainer: Kenny McPeek Last Race: Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Patrick “Mad Dog” Meagher Analysis: After winning the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, he took a little break, but now he is back at the track and working well for his 2019 debut. This colt seems to be developing rapidly, which could make him dangerous when the big-time races are contested. 8. Gunmetal Gray Derby Points/Rank: 18 – 4th Race Record: (6) 2-2-0 Earnings: $247,200 Breeding: Exchange Rate – Classofsixtythree Owner: Hollendorfer LLC, Pearl Racing, and West Point Thoroughbreds Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Last Race: Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: We see this type of horse every single season on the Kentucky Derby Trail. He will always show up with an honest effort and make a nice run at the end, but he is not talented enough to win a major Kentucky Derby Prep event. 9. Knicks Go Derby Points/Rank: 18 – 2nd Race Record: (6) 2-1-1 Earnings: $672,515 Breeding: Paynter – Kosmo’s Buddy Owner: KRA Stud Farm Trainer: Ben Colebrook Last Race: Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, Finished 11th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Patrick “Mad Dog” Meagher Analysis: He was the Cinderella story of 2018 with a major upset in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, followed by a runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. We are about to find out how he’s developed since his juvenile season when he makes his 3-year-old debut in this weekend’s Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes. 10. Harvey Wallbanger Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 12th Race Record: (5) 2-3-0 Earnings: $299,520 Breeding: Congrats – Adorabell Owner: Harold Lerner LLC, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Akman, Scott K. and Braverman, Paul Trainer: Kenny McPeek Last Race: Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: The upset Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes winner debuts at #10 in the rankings. Was that win a fluke, or is he a for-real prospect? That is up for debate, especially since his speed figure came back fairly slow. However, he is one to keep an eye on because he could improve with his second start of 2019. 11. Vekoma Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $151,250 Breeding: Candy Ride – Mona De Momma Owner: R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables Trainer: George Weaver Last Race: Grade 3 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: The Fans Analysis: Right now, we are in a wait-and-see position with him. His 2-year-old year was very impressive; however, that doesn’t mean he will be just as strong as a 3-year-old. He is still a few works away from his first start of 2019. 12. Kentucky Wildcat Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (3) 1-0-1 Earnings: $48,138 Breeding: Tapit – Better Lucky Owner: Godolphin, LLC Trainer: Thomas Albertrani Last Race: Maiden Special Weight at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: This son of Tapit won a sharp maiden special weight at Aqueduct to round out his 2018 and is now being pointed to the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes this weekend. We’ll know a lot more about him after that race. 13. Mind Control Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 9th Race Record: (5) 3-1-0 Earnings: $323,400 Breeding: Stay Thirsty – Feel That Fire Owner: Red Oak Stable (Brunetti) and Madaket Stables, LLC Trainer: Gregory D. Sacco Last Race: Grade 3 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim: Spector Analysis: This horse seems to be a lot like Gunmetal Gray. He is likely to show up with a solid effort during all of these prep races; however, he might not be talented enough to win a major event. 14. Country House Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (3) 1-1-0 Earnings: $40,175 Breeding: Lookin At Lucky – Quake Lake Owner: Shields, Jr., Mrs. J. V. and McFadden, Jr., E. J. M. Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Maiden Special Weight at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: Mott is loaded with potential prospects this year. Country House was a visually impressive winner in maiden special weight last time out at Gulfstream Park, which is likely to put him in a Kentucky Derby Prep Race for his next start. 15. Gray Attempt Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 14th Race Record: (4) 3-0-0 Earnings: $184,700 Breeding: Graydar – Attempt to Name Owner: Dwight Pruett Trainer: Jinks Fires Last Race: Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: With only one loss on his resume, this horse must be respected, especially after back-to-back stakes victories. Fires is no stranger to having good horses at Oaklawn Park. He will be the one that all of the shippers will have to deal with when races like the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby roll around. 16. Maximus Mischief Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 7th Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $225,700 Breeding: Into Mischief – Reina Maria Owner: Cash is King LLC and LC Racing Trainer: Robert E. Reid Jr. Last Race: Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: He must rebound dramatically after an average third-place effort in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes. Perhaps he was a bit short going into the race, which could have made a big difference. His next race will be critical. 17. Network Effect Derby Points/Rank: 4 – 17th Race Record: (3) 1-2-0 Earnings: $136,750 Breeding: Mark Valeski – Sandy Key Gal Owner: Klaravich Stables, INC. Trainer: Chad Brown Last Race: Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: This horse seems to be picking it up a bit in the morninga, which could mean that he is getting closer to his 2019 debut race. He is a “grind-it-out” type that may lack the talent to take home a major race; however, he can still play a factor in the underneath positions. 18. Tax Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 8th Race Record: (4) 2-1-1 Earnings: $186,300 Breeding: Arch – Toll Owner: R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Lynch, Hugh and Corms Racing Stable Trainer: Danny Gargan Last Race: Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Tax earned a 96 Beyer speed figure for his Grade 3 Withers Stakes win, which was the highest in a busy weekend of races for 3-year-olds. This continues to be an incredible story because the horse competed in two maiden claiming events before jumping up to the graded stakes level. 19. Bourbon War Derby Points/Rank: 1 – 47th Race Record: (3) 2-0-0 Earnings: $79,900 Breeding: Tapit – My Conquestadory Owner: Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable Trainer: Mark Hennig Last Race: Allowance Race at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: After a sharp allowance score at Gulfstream Park, it looks as though he is now pointed to the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. He should be tough in that race, especially considering the underwhelming result of the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes. 20. Long Range Toddy Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 5th Race Record: (5) 3-1-0 Earnings: $351,126 Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Pleasant Song Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: This colt just continues to improve, and while it’s questionable that he has the speed to compete with the elite horses in the group, he has proven to be a horse that will try extremely hard. He will look to continue to pile up Derby points with a start in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes next.
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