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.
