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 eighth set of Kentucky Derby Rankings for the 2019 season:
1. Game Winner
Derby Points/Rank: 45 – 8th
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 – 10th
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. Long Range Toddy
Derby Points/Rank: 53.5 – 4th
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.
4. Improbable
Derby Points/Rank: 25 – 15th
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).
5. Code of Honor
Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 3rd
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) this weekend and perhaps on the first Saturday in May as well.
6. Bourbon War
Derby Points/Rank: 21 – 17th
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 “Wise 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. We’ll see if he can keep it rolling this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1).
7. Hidden Scroll
Derby Points/Rank: 5 – 38th
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 start this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1) will make or break him.
8. War of Will
Derby Points/Rank: 60 – 2nd
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 still be dangerous.
9. Vekoma
Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 27th
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.
10. Anothertwistafate
Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 12th
Race Record: (5) 3-1-0
Earnings: $263,505
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Imperfection
Owner: Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd.
Trainer: Blaine D. Wright
Last Race: Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park, Finished 2nd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow
Analysis: There is no doubt he looked like the best horse in the Sunland Derby (G3) even though he came up a neck short. With a better trip he would have gotten there; however, the most important factor for him was proving he could run on the dirt. That mission was accomplished, which makes him a very interesting prospect heading into the first Saturday in May.
11. Tacitus
Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 7th
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. Galilean
Derby Points/Rank: 7.5 – 31st
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.
13. Cutting Humor
Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 5th
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: Todd 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; however, he has earned the right to give it a shot.
14. Haikal
Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 6th
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).
15. Win Win Win
Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 28th
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.
16. By My Standards
Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 1st
Race Record: (5) 2-2-1
Earnings: $653,710
Breeding: Goldencents – A Jealous Woman
Owner: Allied Racing Stable, LLC
Trainer: Bret Calhoun
Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: After a shocking victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2) this horse now sits atop the Kentucky Derby Points Standings heading into this week. He is light in the experience department, which puts him in a difficult start, but has a running style that suits the Kentucky Derby.
17. Mucho Gusto
Derby Points/Rank: 24 – 16th
Race Record: (5) 3-1-1
Earnings: $310,800
Breeding: Mucho Macho Man – Itsagiantcauseway
Owner: Michael Lund Peterson
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park, Finished 3rd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: A fast pace killed him in the Sunland Derby (G3), which now has him squarely on the bubble in terms of the Kentucky Derby. He might have to run again to make it into the gate; however, there has been no comment yet from trainer Bob Baffert on his plans with this horse.
18. Spinoff
Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 9th
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 his second place effort in the Louisiana Derby (G2) has earned him a spot in the starting get for the Kentucky Derby. The bad news is there is no way he should have lost that race if he was a serious prospect after looking like he was home free. He’ll have to improve to make an impact.
19. Sueno
Derby Points/Rank: 28 – 14th
Race Record: (6) 2-2-2
Earnings: $290,440
Breeding: Atreides – Class Above
Owner: Silverton Hill LLC
Trainer: Keith Desourmeaux
Last Race: Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds., Finished 3rd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: The Fans
Analysis: He did what was expected of him in the Louisiana Derby (G2), hitting the board, while not threatening to win. That is the kind of horse he is, which will get him into the gate on the first Saturday in May.
20. Country House
Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 13th
Race Record: (5) 1-2-0
Earnings: $160,175
Breeding: Lookin At Lucky – Quake Lake
Owner: Shields, Jr., Mrs. J. V. and McFadden, Jr., E. J. M.
Trainer: Bill Mott
Last Race: Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, Finished 4th
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch
Analysis: His performance in the Louisiana Derby (G2) was extremely disappointing; however, he probably did enough to at least make the starting gate. The talent is there with this horse, he just looks to be a bit of a head case at this point.
