Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #11 April 17, 2019 Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #11 April 17, 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 11th set of Kentucky Derby Rankings for the 2019 season: 1. Omaha Beach Derby Points/Rank: 137.5 – 2nd Race Record: (7) 3-3-1 Earnings: $1,121,800 Breeding: War Front – Charming Owner: Fox Hill Farms, INC. Trainer: Richard Mandella Last Race: Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: After winning the Rebel Stakes (G2) in March, this horse backed up that effort with another solid win in the Arkansas Derby (G1). It says a lot that he was able to win two of the hardest prep races, and against Bob Baffert trainees both times. There is no question that he would really enjoy having a sloppy track on the first Saturday in May, though he recently proved that he can win on a dry surface as well. He deserves to be number one as of now. 2. Roadster Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 5th Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $706,200 Breeding: Quality Road – Ghost Dancing Owner: Speedway Stable LLC Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: Welcome to the show, Roadster. After looking like he was dropping to the back of the field in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), he then came with a furious rally on the far turn before passing Game Winner late in the stretch to win. This ultra-impressive performance made him a primetime Kentucky Derby contender. The training patterns, as well as what information Baffet gives us leading up to the race, will be of great importance this year when trying to separate his big three horses. 3. Game Winner Derby Points/Rank: 85 – 8th Race Record: (6) 4-2-0 Earnings: $1,846,000 Breeding: Candy Ride – Indyan Giving Owner: Gary and Mary West Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: He had another solid effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), which should set him up perfectly for the Kentucky Derby. He was likely not fully cranked up for this effort; however, it is a little concerning that he’s now closely lost two in a row. There are many, including myself, who believe that he is still a solid Kentucky Derby pick, yet the two losses do cause a slight pause for concern. 4. Improbable Derby Points/Rank: 65 – 11th Race Record: (5) 3-2-0 Earnings: $619,520 Breeding: City Zip – Rare Event Owner: China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: This is the horse that is extremely difficult to figure out. He was worked up in a major way the entire time before the Arkansas Derby (G1). He did not behave well in the paddock, post parade, or gate, which makes his second place effort pretty impressive. Many believe he can’t stretch out in distance; however his 99 beyer going 1 1/8th miles is the best of his career. He is still a horse you must respect, despite his antics, and so-so workout pattern. 5. Tacitus Derby Points/Rank: 150 – 1st Race Record: (4) 3-0-0 Earnings:$653,000 Breeding: Tapit – Close Hatches Owner: Juddmonte Farms, LLC Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer Analysis: Tacitus joined War of Will as the only horse so far to win two Kentucky Derby Prep Races with a big win in the Wood Memorial Sakes (G2) at Aqueduct. Despite getting a fairly rough trip, he kept to task before wearing down Tax in the stretch. The field for the race was a bit questionable, plus the pace set up well for him, but he still proved quite a bit with the performance. His consistency is a major positive. 6. War of Will Derby Points/Rank: 60 – 12th Race Record: (8) 3-1-1 Earnings: $501,569 Breeding: War Front – Visions of Clarity Owner: Gary Barber Trainer: Mark Casse Last Race: Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, Finished 9th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: The Louisiana Derby (G2) turned into a complete disaster for him after he took a couple of bad steps right out of the gate. At first, it sounded like he had injured himself in a serious way; however, he is doing much better now. He will still likely run in the Kentucky Derby, where he could be dangerous at a price. 7. Maximum Security Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 6th Race Record: (4) 4-0-0 Earnings:$649,400 Breeding: New Year’s Day – Lil Indy Owner: Juddmonte Farms, LLC Trainer: Gary and Mary West Last Race: Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman Analysis: The former $16,000 claimer is now a stakes winner after capturing the Florida Derby (G1) in wire-to-wire fashion. His 101 Beyer speed figure makes him very competitive on the first Saturday in May, while his early speed might be dangerous against this year’s crop. If he wins, it would be one of the greatest “rags to riches” story of all time. 8. Vekoma Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 3rd Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $788,850 Breeding: Candy Ride – Mona De Momma Owner: R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables Trainer: George Weaver Last Race: Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: The Fans Analysis: Running second off the layoff, the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) was thought to be a solid spot for him, which ended up being the case. After stalking the early pace, Vekoma simply took over in the stretch, kicking clear to win by multiple lengths. He sat a perfect trip in this spot, with the pace setting up very well for him, making this a race that many will be critical of moving forward. Still, he has a running style that could make him dangerous in the Kentucky Derby. 9. Code of Honor Derby Points/Rank: 74 – 9th Race Record: (5) 2-1-1 Earnings: $478,820 Breeding: Noble Mission – Reunited Owner: W.S. Farish Trainer: Shug McGaughey Last Race: Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Patrick “Mad Dog” Meagher Analysis: With the slow pace in the Florida Derby (G1), his chances were over quickly. This horse is showing that he can be consistent, but there is no question that he is pace-dependent. He will likely get a better setup in the Kentucky Derby, though, if he’s good enough to get the job done. 10. Long Range Toddy Derby Points/Rank: 53.5 – 13th Race Record: (8) 4-1-1 Earnings: $854,459 Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Pleasant Song Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 6th Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: His performance in the Arkansas Derby (G1) is never what you want to see. He had a perfect position in the race, before fading at the top of the stretch, finishing a distant sixth. The good news is he did beat Improbable in the Rebel Stakes (G2), who finishing second in the Arkansas Derby. Still, he will need to bounce back in a major way to have any sort of shot. 11. Cutting Humor Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 15th Race Record: (6) 2-2-1 Earnings: $516,967 Breeding: First Samurai – Pun Owner: Starlight Racing Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Sunland Park (G3) at Sunland Park, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Pletcher has a couple of Kentucky Derby hopefuls after all, with Cutting Humor definitely being one of them. After a disastrous start in the Southwest Stakes (G3), he bounced back with an excellent win in the Sunland Derby (G3). The Kentucky Derby will be a big ask for him, but he has earned the right to give it a shot. 12. Country House Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 17th Race Record: (6) 1-2-1 Earnings: $260,175 Breeding: Lookin At Lucky – Quake Lake Owner: Shields, Jr., Mrs. J. V., McFadden, Jr., E. J. M. and LNJ Foxwoods Trainer: Bill Mott Last Race: Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: This is a horse where we know what we are getting each time. He has not shown the ability to actually win a big time race; however, there is no doubt he could be the type in the Kentucky Derby to pass tired horses late and hit the board at a nice price. You can rely on him making a move in the stretch. 13. Tax Derby Points/Rank: 52 – 14th Race Record: (5) 2-2-1 Earnings: $326,300 Breeding: Arch – Toll Owner: R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Lynch, Hugh and Corms Racing Stable Trainer: Danny Gargan Last Race: Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: The Fans Analysis: He was one of the only horses in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) able to avoid trouble. That led to a perfect trip that nearly saw him pull off the win. This is a “grind it out” type of runner who might have something to say in the underneath positions of the Kentucky Derby. 14. Haikal Derby Points/Rank: 70 – 10th Race Record: (5) 3-1-1 Earnings: $373,900 Breeding: Daaher – Sablah Owner: Shadwell Stable Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin Last Race: Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct, Finished 3rd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer Analysis: Predictably, he came with a run in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), but it was lacking just a bit compared to his efforts going shorter. This horse has proven that he will try hard, though, which could make him a dangerous underneath contender on the first Saturday in May. 15. By My Standards Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 6th Race Record: (5) 2-2-1 Earnings: $653,710 Breeding: Goldencents – A Jealous Woman Owner: Allied Racing Stable, LLC Trainer: Bret Calhoun Last Race: Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: After a shocking victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2), this horse now sits near the top of the Kentucky Derby Points Standings. He is light in the experience department, which puts him in a difficult spot, but his running style suits the Kentucky Derby. 16. Win Win Win Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 16th Race Record: (6) 3-2-1 Earnings: $367,300 Breeding: Hat Trick – Miss Smarty Pants Owner: Live Oak Plantation Trainer: Michael Trombetta Last Race: Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: He’s back in the Kentucky Derby picture after a fast-closing stretch run to finish second in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2). Once again, this horse got a poor trip, which most likely cost him the win. It’s hard to imagine him getting a better trip in a 20-horse field, which is his biggest downfall. 17. Spinoff Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 19th Race Record: (4) 2-1-1 Earnings: $260,000 Breeding: Hard Spun – Zaftig Owner: Wertheimer and Frere Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: The good news is that his second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) earned him a spot in the Kentucky Derby. The bad news is that there is no way that he should have lost that race if he was a serious prospect after looking like he was home free. He’ll have to greatly improve if he wants to make an impact. 18. Plus Que Parfait Derby Points/Rank: 104 – 4th Race Record: (7) 2-1-2 Earnings: $1,590,400 Breeding: Point of Entry – Belvedera Owner: Imperial Racing, LLC Trainer: Brendan Walsh Last Race: UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan Race Course, Finished 1st Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike Analysis: He finally put it all together last time out when upsetting the UAE Derby (G2). He is still a big longshot for the Kentucky Derby, but at least he was able to get back to some of the solid form that he showed as a 2-year-old. 19. Bodexpress Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 21st Race Record: (5) 0-3-0 Earnings: $208,700 Breeding: Bodemeister – Pied a Terre Owner: Top Racing, LLC, Global Thoroughbred and GDS Racing Stable Trainer: Gustavo Delgado Last Race: Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Obviously, it’s very hard to get excited about a maiden in the Kentucky Derby. At least he is improving with each race, though, and has a pedigree that could make him better when going longer. 20. Master Fencer Derby Points/Rank: Japanese Qualifier – 20th Race Record: (6) 2-2-0 Earnings: $234,392 Breeding: Just a Way – Sexy Zamurai Owner: Katsumi Yoshizawa Trainer: K. Tsunoda Last Race: Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama, Finished 2nd Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: This is a joke. He’s a complete toss after getting into the race via the Japanese route that shouldn’t even exist.
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