Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #7 March 20, 2019 Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #7 March 20, 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 seventh set of Kentucky Derby Rankings for the 2019 season: 1. Game Winner Derby Points/Rank: 45 – 6th Race Record: (5) 4-1-0 Earnings: $1,646,000 Breeding: Candy Ride – Indyan Giving Owner: Gary and Mary West Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: It was good to see the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner back in action in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. Even though he lost, he was still valiant in defeat, finishing second by a nose to Omaha Beach. At the top of the stretch, it looked as though Omaha Beach would easily win; however, Game Winner dug down deep to make it extremely close. He will move forward off of this effort, which should make him tough to beat moving forward. 2. Omaha Beach Derby Points/Rank: 37.5 – 7th Race Record: (6) 2-3-1 Earnings: $521,800 Breeding: War Front – Charming Owner: Fox Hill Farms, INC. Trainer: Richard Mandella Last Race: Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: This horse ran huge in the Rebel Stakes (G2), proving to be a high class animal that we must take serious moving forward. Coming into the race, it was reasonable to question his ability; however, there is no reason to question it now. His pedigree should be a benefit to him moving forward, and his running style will suit the Kentucky Derby very well. 3. Mucho Gusto Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 17th Race Record: (4) 3-1-0 Earnings: $234,000 Breeding: Mucho Macho Man – Itsagiantcauseway Owner: Michael Lund Peterson Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) 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 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3). It looks like the Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park will be his next start. 4. War of Will Derby Points/Rank: 60 – 1st Race Record: (7) 3-1-1 Earnings: $491,569 Breeding: War Front – Visions of Clarity Owner: Gary Barber Trainer: Mark Casse Last Race: Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: So far, he is 3-for-3 on the dirt while never even being challenged. His LeComte Stakes (G3) win was very impressive. Now, with another victory in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), he has put himself in a great position moving forward. We’ll see if he can keep it rolling this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2). 5. Long Range Toddy Derby Points/Rank: 53.5 – 3rd Race Record: (7) 4-1-1 Earnings: $851,125 Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Pleasant Song Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: He became a serious contender in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, where he ran down our previous #1 ranked horse to win the race by a nose in the final stages. He has progressively gotten better with each start, while possessing a pedigree that should only see him get better as the distances get longer. This is now a serious player heading into the last round of prep races. 6. Improbable Derby Points/Rank: 25 – 9th Race Record: (4) 3-1-0 Earnings: $419,520 Breeding: City Zip – Rare Event Owner: China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: After getting hung wide on both turns in the Rebel Stakes (G2), he just couldn’t hold on for the win, getting passed late by Long Range Toddy to lose by a nose. The loss was disappointing; however, he should have gotten a lot out of the effort from a fitness standpoint. He should be ready to fire a big one when he returns for the Arkansas Derby (G1). 7. Code of Honor Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 2nd Race Record: (4) 2-1-0 Earnings: $384,820 Breeding: Noble Mission – Reunited Owner: W.S. Farish Trainer: Shug McGaughey Last Race: Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Patrick “Mad Dog” Meagher Analysis: A big bounce back win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) has this horse locked into the Kentucky Derby starting gate. There is no doubt he took advantage of a hot pace in that race; however, at least he showed the talent needed to win at the higher levels. He will play a factor in the Florida Derby (G1) and perhaps on the first Saturday in May as well. 8. Bourbon War Derby Points/Rank: 21 – 11th Race Record: (4) 2-1-0 Earnings: $155,100 Breeding: Tapit – My Conquestadory Owner: Bourbon Lane and Stable and Lake Star Stable Trainer: Mark Hennig Last Race: Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wish Dan” Waite Analysis: He closed like a freight train to finish a fast closing second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). That’s the type of performance that will catch a lot of eyes, while also seemingly meaning he will enjoy the distances getting longer. He proved he belongs from a class standpoint. 9. Country House Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 14th Race Record: (4) 1-2-0 Earnings: $120,175 Breeding: Lookin At Lucky – Quake Lake Owner: Shields, Jr., Mrs. J. V. and McFadden, Jr., E. J. M. Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: This horse proved that he is going to be solid moving forward after his strong closing second in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds. That is a race that he should be able to build on moving forward this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2). Mott holds a very strong hand going into the big races along the trail. 10. Hidden Scroll Derby Points/Rank: 5 – 35th Race Record: (2) 1-0-0 Earnings: $50,600 Breeding: Hard Spun – Sheba Queen Owner: Juddmonte Farms, INC. Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 4th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: There is no question in my mind that Hidden Scroll was the best horse in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). However, if he does not learn to rate his early speed, he will have a tough time winning major stakes races. On the other hand, if he can learn to sit off horses, he is a prime Kentucky Derby candidate. His next start will be his make or break moment. 11. Tacitus Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 5th Race Record: (3) 2-0-0 Earnings:$253,000 Breeding: Tapit – Close Hatches Owner: Juddmonte Farms, LLC Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer Analysis: How loaded is Bill Mott for this Kentucky Derby? He now has three horses in the top 11 after Tacitus rolled home late to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). It was a perfect set-up for him; however, he still had to take advantage of it with a solid move. His breeding should allow him to excel when the distances get longer. 12. Vekoma Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 22nd Race Record: (3) 2-0-1 Earnings: $188,850 Breeding: Candy Ride – Mona De Momma Owner: R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables Trainer: George Weaver Last Race: Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: The Fans Analysis: The Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) showed us enough to think this horse deserves a shot at another prep race for his next start. He may not be a special colt; however, he has every right to improve off of this effort. This is not one to close the book on just yet. 13. Anothertwistafate Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 25th Race Record: (4) 3-0-0 Earnings: $94,545 Breeding: Scat Daddy – Imperfection Owner: Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd. Trainer: Blaine D. Wright Last Race: El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: This horse is a synthetic monster after three straight amazing wins at Golden Gate, but he has shown enough talent to debut on the rankings this week. He simply ran the other horses off their feet in the El Camino Real Derby. He will try dirt next in the Sunland Derby (G3). 14. Galilean Derby Points/Rank: 7.5 – 29th Race Record: (5) 3-1-1 Earnings: $336,000 Breeding: Uncle Mo – Freisa Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, Barker, Denise and Sandbrook, William Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Last Race: Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer Analysis: He ran well enough in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park to stay on the Kentucky Derby Trail. While he wasn’t a threat to beat the top 2 finishers, he still was able to run a fast enough race to be competitive. With more improvement, he could still be a factor. 15. Haikal Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 4th Race Record: (4) 3-1-0 Earnings: $298,900 Breeding: Daaher – Sablah Owner: Shadwell Stable Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin Last Race: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer Analysis: A big win in the Gotham Stakes (G3) puts this horse on the radar. However, he did get a perfect set up in that race, which won’t be as likely to happen as the races get tougher. Also, there are really question marks surrounding how far this horse wants to run. We’ll find out more in the Wood Memorial (G2). 16. Gunmetal Gray Derby Points/Rank: 21.75 – 10th Race Record: (7) 2-2-0 Earnings: $284,700 Breeding: Exchange Rate – Classofsixtythree Owner: Hollendorfer LLC, Pearl Racing, and West Point Thoroughbreds Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Last Race: Rebel Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 4th 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. It was more of the same in the Rebel Stakes (G2). 17. Win Win Win Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 24th Race Record: (5) 3-1-1 Earnings:$167,300 Breeding: Hat Trick – Miss Smarty Pants Owner: Live Oak Plantation Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta Last Race: Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) was a pretty solid race for him. It was disappointing to see him get third; however, a very wide trip hurt his chances dramatically. He’s still a fringe contender at this point. 18. Outshine Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 14th Race Record: (4) 2-1-0 Earnings: $150,900 Breeding: Malibu Moon – Life Lesson Owner: Let’s Go Stable and Richard Schibell Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Trainer Todd Pletcher finally has a horse ranked in the Top 20 after this horse ran a solid second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). It wasn’t a race to get overly excited about; however, at least it puts Outshine on the radar heading into the last round of preps. 19. Mind Control Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 8th Race Record: (6) 3-2-0 Earnings:$383,400 Breeding: Stay Thirsty – Feel That Fire Owner: Red Oak Stable (Brunetti) and Madaket Stables, LLC Trainer: Gregory D. Sacco Last Race: Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: It looked like he would be the winner of the Gotham Stakes (G3) in mid-stretch, as he made a big move, but was nailed late by the fast closing Haikal. The effort has most likely ensure him a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. 20. Somelikeithotbrown Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 12th Race Record: (7) 3-2-1 Earnings: $363,478 Breeding: Big Brown – Marilyn Monroan Owner: Skychai Racing LLC and Sand Dollar Stable LLC Trainer: Mike Maker Last Race: Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: He made it two for two at Turfway Park with a dominating win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). Now, he must move to the dirt for his next start, which will likely coming in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2). That will tell us the real story on him.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More