Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #1

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.