Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Florida Derby Could Prove Pivotal

Each week, this important article will provide the standings, power rankings, and recent transactions for every league member. Not only will you see the latest claims in the league (which will show you what horses might be up-and-coming), but you will also get updates on the runners as they prepare for their next starts along the Kentucky Derby Trail. Let’s check out all of the latest transactions and scoring updates:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• Austin/Evil Steveil CLAIMED Wells Bayou and DROPPED Portos
• Paul “Free Beers” Withrow CLAIMED Cezanne and DROPPED Ra’ad 

Power Rankings

The “Power Rankings” feature teams’ odds to win the contest, as well as an update on every horse on a team. Here we go:

1. Aaron Halterman (8/5)

• Independence Hall – The Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) didn’t go the way that this team had hoped, but he did run well enough to stay on the trail. We’ll see him this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Azul Coast – A big win in the El Camino Real Derby gave this team a nice 20-point pickup. He was entered in the Sunland Derby (G3) before that race was canceled. His next start is now unknown.
• Authentic – The San Felipe Stakes (G2) was another solid effort from a colt that looks to have a serious future. However, is he the third-best Baffert horse? He’s scheduled to run next in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Little Menace – He was solid in the Gazebo Stakes at Oaklawn Park, but he had to settle for second. He has yet to race beyond 6 furlongs.
• Alex Joon – He broke his maiden at Churchill Downs on December 1; however, he has not returned to the work tab.

2. The Magic Mike Show (5/2)

• Tiz the Law – He crushed his rivals in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and looks like one of the best 3-year-olds in the country. The Florida Derby (G1) is next.
• Modernist – The Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner came back to run a solid third in Louisiana Derby (G2). He looks like he still has room to grow.  
• Market Analysis – The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) was a big disappointment for this horse, who looks like he might end up being a poor claim. 
• Enforceable – He got a brutal trip in the Louisiana Derby (G2), which saw him miss the board for the first time this season. 
• Tizamagician – The team mascot earned a career-best 89 Beyer while running a decent fourth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3)  but his next race is now up in the air after the U.A.E. Derby (G2) was canceled.

3. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (6/1)

• Structor – Originally, Slim’s first round pick was off the Kentucky Derby Trail. However, with the Derby now moved to September, he might have a chance! 
• Three Technique – He was decent in the Rebel Stakes (G2); however, he was only able to finish fourth. 
• Charlatan – This team is horrible BUT this horse is a FREAK. It only takes one great horse to win this league, and Slim might have him.  
• Country Grammer – This son of Tonalist showed some signs of life late in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• No Parole – He proved to be outclassed when trying open company in the Rebel Stakes (G2). 

4. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (8/1)

• Thousand Words – Yikes, he was poor last time out in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). We’ll need to see him rebound in a big way next time out. 
• Cezanne – The $3.65 million purchase is nearing a debut for trainer Bob Baffert after several solid works. 
• Nadal – This team now has a shot after Nadal was extremely impressive when winning the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• Necker Island – It’s clear that he’s not going to make an impact after a poor performance in the Gotham Stakes (G3).
• Caracaro – This recent claim earned a 92 Beyer for his impressive maiden special weight score at Gulfstream Park on January 11. However, he hasn’t recorded a work since January 25.

5. Jared Welch (8/1)

• Maxfield – Look for him to make an impact later in the season after an injury forced him to miss the last two months of 2019. He has to be close to making his 2020 debut and pushing the Kentucky Derby to September will only help him.
• Eight Rings – Recent news broke that Eight Rings is off the Derby trail, which was a big blow to this team. However, he did put in another work on Monday and the news of delaying the Kentucky Derby should only help him.
• Toledo – His third-place Holy Bull Stakes (G3) effort was not encouraging, though two really good horses defeated him. He continues to work.
• Shoplifted – A lackluster fourth in the Southwest Stakes (G3) is not what this team wanted to see. He was entered in the Sunland Derby (G3) prior to its cancellation.
• Ete Indien – The newest member of the team looked unbelievable in a blowout win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). The Florida Derby (G1) is up next.

6. Real Dynasty (10/1)

• Green Light Go – He was well-beaten in the Swale Stakes (G3), but it was nice to see him kick off his 2020 campaign. He was scheduled to give it another go in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), but he spiked a fever just days before. His next start is currently unknown.
• Mr. Monomoy – Unfortunately, the colt suffered a minor injury, but he could be back on the Trail with the Derby moving to September. 
• Soros – A nice win in the Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park earned this horse some hype. He’s back this Friday at Gulfstream Park,  running in an allowance race. 
• Silver State – After a consistent year, he struggled to an off the board finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2). 
• Sole Volante – He picked up a nice second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), showing that he can be consistent on dirt. 

7. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (10/1)

• Honor A. P. – He’s back! His runner-up effort in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) was a solid start to his year. He should get better with more fitness and longer distances. 
• Storm the Court – His third-place effort in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) was decent, though there are still questions about his talents. 
• Basin – His third in the Rebel Stakes (G2) was a decent start to his 2020 season. He should improve off of that effort. 
• Chance It – The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) did not go his way. He needs a big rebound race in his next start. 
• Great Power – The claiming game has not been kind this year to the defending champs. Great Power disappointed in a recent allowance at Santa Anita Park, finishing third to superstar Charlatan. 

8. Brandon “B$” Bauer (30/1)

• Dennis’ Moment – He could not have been worse in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• High Velocity – It was good to see this team get points in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3); however, this horse was far from impressive. 
• Silver Prospector – This horse is very up and down so far. After an impressive Southwest Stakes (G3), he was a no-show in the Rebel Stakes (G2).
• Thunder Code – This maiden was expected to return in March, but he’s yet to get on the worktab in 2020.
• Glory Road – He was an impressive debut maiden special weight winner at Saratoga, but his last workout came on November 19. 

9. Dan “Wise Dan” Waite (50/1)

• Anneau d’Or – Yuck. He was beyond awful in Division 2 of the Risen Star Stakes (G2); a complete no-show.
• Gouverneur Morris – A solid allowance win at Tampa Bay Downs has this colt trending in the right direction heading into the Florida Derby (G1) this weekend.
• Shotski – He is proving to be just an average horse after a so-so effort in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). His next start is up in the air after the late cancelation of the U.A.E. Derby (G2).
• Max Player – The newest member of the team was an easy winner of the Withers Stakes (G3) last time out. His next start is also in question after Aqueduct closed.
• Lynn’s Map – He sucked once again in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

10. Austin Elsey/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (99/1)

• Mischevious Alex – The team turns to this horse as its savior, claiming him after a win in the one-turn Gotham Stakes (G3). 
• Ajaaweed – He closed a little bit to finish third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), but he didn’t show a strong turn of foot. He’ll try to rebound this weekend in the Florida Derby (G1). 
• Answer In – A poor ride led to a distant third in the Southwest Stakes (G3). 
• American Theorem – His Rebel Stakes (G2) effort was a disaster. 
• Wells Bayou – This horse picked up a big time win in the Louisiana Derby (G2), which earns him a place in the Kentucky Derby.