Racing Dudes 2019 Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #9

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 ninth set of Kentucky Derby Rankings for the 2019 season:

1. Game Winner

Derby Points/Rank: 45 – 10th

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 in this Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1).

2. Omaha Beach

Derby Points/Rank: 37.5 – 14th

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 seriously 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 benefit him moving forward and his running style will suit the Kentucky Derby very well.

3. Long Range Toddy

Derby Points/Rank: 53.5 – 6th

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 after the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park when he ran down our #1-ranked horse to win by a nose in the final stages. He has progressively gotten better with each start and possesses a pedigree that should only see him get better as the distances get longer. He is now a serious player heading into the last round of prep races.

4. Improbable

Derby Points/Rank: 25 – 19th

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. War of Will

Derby Points/Rank: 60 – 5th

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.

6. Anothertwistafate

Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 16th

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 – if he has enough points to qualify.

7. Tacitus

Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 9th

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 was Mott for this Kentucky Derby? At one point, he had three of our top 11 after Tacitus rolled home late to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but now, Tacitus is all that remains. He had a perfect setup in the Tampa Bay Derby, though he still had to take advantage of it with a solid move. His breeding should allow him to excel when the distances get longer, which will be put to the test this weekend in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).

Check out our Inside Track to the Blue Grass wagering guide for bonus Wood Memorial analysis!

8. Maximum Security

Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 3rd

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.

9. Galilean

Derby Points/Rank: 7.5 – 34th

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 two finishers, he was able to run fast enough to be competitive. With more improvement, he could still be a factor.

10. Cutting Humor

Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 7th

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.

11. Code of Honor

Derby Points/Rank: 74 – 4th

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.

12. Bourbon War

Derby Points/Rank: 31 – 15th

Race Record: (5) 2-1-0

Earnings: $202,100

Breeding: Tapit – My Conquestadory

Owner: Bourbon Lane and Stable and Lake Star Stable

Trainer: Mark Hennig

Last Race: Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Finished 4th

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite

Analysis: Much like Code of Honor, there is no doubt that Bourbon War lost all chance in the Florida Derby (G1) with an extremely slow pace. His late running style can be good for hitting the board in Kentucky, but it is very tough for any closer to actually win that race. Also, he sits on the bubble points-wise.

13. Vekoma

Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 30th

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 that this horse deserves a shot at another prep race for his next start. He may not be a special colt, but he has every right to improve off of that effort. He gets another shot this weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).

Check out our Inside Track to the Blue Grass wagering guide for exclusive Blue Grass analysis!

14. Haikal

Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 8th

Race Record: (4) 3-1-0

Earnings: $298,900

Breeding: Daaher – Sablah

Owner: Shadwell Stable

Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

Last Race: Gotham Stakes (G3) 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 big question marks surrounding how far this horse wants to run. We’ll find out more in the Wood Memorial (G2).

15. By My Standards

Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 2nd

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: NONE

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 has a running style that suits the Kentucky Derby.

16. Spinoff

Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 12th

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 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.

17. Sueno

Derby Points/Rank: 28 – 18th

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.

18. Plus Que Parfait

Derby Points/Rank: 104 – 1st

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 long shot 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. Country House

Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 17th

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, but he probably did enough to at least make the starting gate. The talent is there, he just looks to be a bit of a head case at this point.

20. Bodexpress

Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 13th

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 is improving with each race, though, and has a pedigree that could make him better when going longer.