Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Halterman Jumps to the Early Lead

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 the latest transactions and scoring updates:

Current Standings

Recent Claims

• Dan “Wise Dan” Waite CLAIMED Lynn’s Map and DROPPED Positively Awesome 
• Jon/Ryan CLAIMED Untitled and DROPPED Sol Volante 

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 (2/1)

• Independence Hall – A win in the Jerome Stakes got the team off to a solid start. 
• Azul Coast – He got going late in the race to finish second in the Sham Stakes (G3). 
• Authentic – The Sham Stakes (G3) announced his arrival as a major Kentucky Derby contender.
• Little Menace – After breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs, he was sent to Oaklawn Park, where he’ll likely make a start on opening weekend.
• Alex Joon – He broke his maiden at Churchill Downs on December 1st; however, he has not returned to the work tab. 

2. The Magic Mike Show (5/1)

• Tiz the Law – He recently got back on the workout tab and has the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park as his first target. 
• Bellavia – An impressive maiden special weight win at Belmont Park has this horse getting plenty of hype. He has yet to work since that October 23 win, though.
• Chestertown – A few recent workouts at Fair Grounds suggest that he is getting close to making his first start since impressively breaking his maiden. 
• Enforceable – This runner has plenty of stakes experience, which gives him an advantage heading into 2020. He also has been working at the Fair Grounds.
• Tizamagician – The team mascot earned a maiden-breaking victory at Santa Anita Park on New Year’s Day. 

3. Jared Welch (6/1)

• 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. 
• Eight Rings – This Grade 1 winner has class; however, he hasn’t had a recorded workout since December 1. He is said to be targeting the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
• Toledo – His recent runner-up effort in a Gulfstream Park allowance event was not encouraging.
• Shoplifted – The Remington Park Springboard Mile winner continues to record workouts at Sam Houston. 
• American Butterfly – Look for him to target the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park for his 2020 debut. 

4. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (8/1)

• Honor A. P. – Uh oh… the defending champs suffered a set back when this colt missed the Sham Stakes (G3).
• Storm the Court – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner has had three recent workouts as he prepares for 2020. The San Vicente Stakes (G2) and the San Felipe Stakes (G2) are on his radar. 
• Basin – The Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner will likely impact the Derby Trail later in the season after an injury forced him to miss some time. 
• Chance It – He earned a hard-fought victory in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes last time out. 
• Untitled – The newest member of the team will try to build off of an impressive debut maiden victory that saw him sell privately and change barns to Mark Casse.

5. Austin Elsey/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (8/1)

• Ancient Warrior – Plenty of hype surrounds this Del Mar maiden special weight winner. His most recent workout came at Los Alamitos on January 5.
• Ajaaweed – He closed fast to finish second in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct.
• Answer In – His first stakes effort was solid, finishing a tough-luck second in the Remington Park Springboard Mile.
• American Theorem – He’s back to work at Santa Anita Park and is preparing for a March return.
• Finnick the Fierce – He’s had two steady works since finishing second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). 

6. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (8/1)

• Structor – The undefeated turf star will make his first dirt start when he steps onto the Kentucky Derby Trail in 2020. 
• Three Technique – The New Yorker moved to Oaklawn Park to run in the Arkansas track’s 3-year-old series.
• Scabbard – He’ll look to take the Fair Grounds route to the Kentucky Derby, with his early sights set on the LeComte Stakes (G3). 
• Country Grammer – This son of Tonalist showed great promise when breaking his maiden at Aqueduct last time out. However, his latest work came on November 30.
• Moon Over Miami – Another impressive Aqueduct maiden winner for this team, he recently had a workout at Payson Park Training Center. 

7. Brandon “B$” Bauer (10/1)

• Dennis’ Moment – He’s back at the Dale Romans barn after some rest and will look to get things started in February or March.
• High Velocity – He appeared back on the workout tab on December 21 after finishing third in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
• Silver Prospector – Three recent works at Fair Grounds suggest that he’s ready to roll after upsetting the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last time out.
• Thunder Code – This maiden will likely return in March.
• Glory Road – He was an impressive maiden special weight winner at Saratoga; however, his last workout came on November 19. 

8. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (12/1)

• Thousand Words – The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner had an impressive workout this week at Santa Anita. 
• Ra’ad – He got back to the work tab on December 29, his first since breaking his maiden at Los Alamitos.
• Shashashakemeup – Shortly after being drafted, he ran a disappointing fourth in the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Fair Grounds.
• Necker Island – After two victories at Churchill Downs, this colt is now working out steadily at Palm Meadows.
• South Bend – He was a disappointing fourth in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes after falling well behind early. 

9. Real Dynasty (12/1)

• Green Light Go – Impressive as a 2-year-old, he is back to work after a small break.
• Mr. Monomoy – He ran well in a recent Fair Grounds allowance, but he was unable to finish the deal as Lynn’s Map passed him late.
• Soros – A nice win in the Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park earned this horse some hype.
• Silver State – It looks like he’ll be taking the Fair Grounds route to the Kentucky Derby after a few solid works there. 
• (Empire Maker/Silver Colors) – The unnamed horse continues to show up on the work tab; however, he seems to be getting slower with each work.

10. Dan “Wise Dan” Waite (15/1)

• Anneau d’Or – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) runner-up will likely make his 2020 debut later in the Santa Anita Park meet.
• Gouverneur Morris – This Todd Pletcher trainee has a lot of hype and is back to work at Palm Beach Downs as he prepares for his 2020 debut.
• Shotski – A big win in the Remsen Stakes (G2) shows that this horse could be for real.
• Sonneman – He broke his maiden nicely at Belmont Park in October; however, he has no recorded workouts since. 
• Lynn’s Map – The recent Fair Grounds allowance winner is targeting a start in the LeComte Stakes (G3) for his next start and his first for his new team.