Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Focus Shifts to Arkansas Derby

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

• Aaron Halterman CLAIMED Pneumatic and DROPPED Alex Joon 

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. The Magic Mike Show (9/5)

• Tiz the Law – He crushed his rivals once again in the Florida Derby (G1), making him the number-one 3-year-old in the country and the Magic Mike Show the team to beat.
• Modernist – The Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner came back to run a solid third in the Louisiana Derby (G2). He looks like he still has room to grow and was flattered when Mr. Big News, whom he defeated in the Risen Star, won last weekend’s Oaklawn Stakes.  
• 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. He hasn’t had a workout since that effort. 
• 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.

2. Aaron Halterman (5/2)

• Independence Hall – The #1 overall pick in this year’s draft looks like a flop after an off-the-board finish in the Florida Derby (G1). He’s reportedly sticking to one-turn races for the rest of the year. 
• 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, but he continues to work out at Santa Anita Park.
• Authentic – The San Felipe Stakes (G2) was another solid effort from a colt who might have a serious future. However, is he the third-best Baffert horse? He was scheduled to run next in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before it was canceled. It looks like he’ll be taking a little break now.
• 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.
• Pneumatic – This Steve Asmussen runner looks like an up-and-comer who could be ready for a big summer.

3. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (5/1)

• Structor – Originally, Slim’s first-round pick was off of 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 – His Oaklawn Stakes was a total disaster, which puts his future in question. 
• Cezanne – The $3.65 million purchase is nearing a debut for trainer Bob Baffert after several solid works; the only question is where. 
• 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 several months. We’ll see if he comes back strong this summer. He recently returned to the work tab once again. 
• Eight Rings – He seems to be back in the game with the Kentucky Derby being delayed. He’s working out like a monster at Santa Anita Park, with the Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park being his likely 2020 debut.
• Toledo – His third-place Holy Bull Stakes (G3) effort was not encouraging, though two really good horses defeated him. He continues to work, but his next start is unknown.
• Shoplifted – He’s decent, just not top-level. His Oaklawn Stakes effort was merely average.
• Ete Indien – This horse showed a lot of heart in the Florida Derby (G1) to finish third, despite a lot going wrong in the race. It sounds like he’s pointing toward July’s Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park for his next start. 

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, but he did recently return to the worktab.
• Mr. Monomoy – Unfortunately, this colt suffered a minor injury, but he could be back on the Trail with the Derby moving to September. 
• Soros – His 2020 debut against allowance company at Gulfstream Park on March 27 was a disaster. 
• 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 talent level. 
• Basin – His Oaklawn Stakes effort was a big disappointment. He will need to regroup after that dud.
• Chance It – After the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) did not go his way, his connections announced that he will be given some time off, which should have him refreshed for a nice summer campaign. 
• 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) and hasn’t returned to the worktab since.
• 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. He was training toward the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before that race was postponed.
• Gouverneur Morris – He showed a decent amount of talent in the Florida Derby (G1), finishing fourth. He should benefit from the Kentucky Derby being moved. 
• 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.
• Mystic Guide – This recent maiden special weight winner at Fair Grounds looked like a horse with a big future. He might turn into a much-needed solid claim for a team that has traditionally struggled in that area.

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

• Mischevious Alex – The last-place team turned to this horse as its savior, claiming him after a win in the one-turn Gotham Stakes (G3). 
• Ajaaweed – He came up “dull” in his preparation for the Florida Derby (G1), causing him to scratch from the race. 
• Answer In – He sucked in a recent Oaklawn allowance race.
• 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 earned him a place in the Kentucky Derby.