Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Jon and Ryan Take the 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

There are no claims to announce this week.

Power Rankings

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

1. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (6/5) 

• Hidden Scroll – We can close the book on his Kentucky Derby chances after getting smoked in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Improbable – A solid second in the Rebel Stakes (G2) should have him ready to roll next out in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• War of Will – His Louisiana Derby (G2) was a disaster; however, it looks like he is going to be ok after being slightly injured at the start of that race.
• Omaha Beach – The Rebel Stakes (G2) winner proved that he is for real with a hard-fought nose victory. He’ll be back for the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Maximum Security – This turned out to be a great claim after he went wire-to-wire to win the Florida Derby (G1).

2. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (5/2)

• Game Winner – His Rebel Stakes (G2) effort was valiant in defeat. He’ll move forward off of that race in a big way this week in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Super Steed – Bone bruising has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.
• U S Navy Cross – He will finally make his 2019 debut at Keeneland this Friday in an allowance race.
• Anothertwistafate – His Sunland Derby (G3) second-place effort was very solid, though he still hasn’t officially secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
• Roadster – A sharp allowance victory has him pointing towards the Santa Anita Derby (G1) this weekend.

3. Aaron Halterman (4/1)

• Mucho Gusto – After setting a fast pace, he faded to third in the Sunland Derby (G3). He’s on the Kentucky Derby bubble now with 24 points, and Baffert recently seemed doubtful about him remaining on the trail.
• Gunmetal Gray – An injury has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.
• Long Range Toddy – His Rebel Stakes (G2) upset over Improbable was an eye opening win. He’s on track for the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Bankit – It was more of the same for him in the Louisiana Derby (G2). It looks like he peaked too early.
• Cornacchia – Still no sign of him in an entry box.

4. Brandon “B$” Bauer (8/1)

• Galilean – His Rebel Stakes (G2) effort was good enough to keep him on the Kentucky Derby trail. The Arkansas Derby (G1) will be next.
• Haikal – The Gotham Stakes (G3) winner is safely in the Kentucky Derby. Now, he’s pointed towards the Wood Memorial (G2) this weekend.
• So Alive – He is probable for the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) this weekend at Keeneland.
• Tacitus – A perfect ride by Jose Ortiz earned him top honors in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). The Wood Memorial (G2) is next for him this Saturday.
• Global Campaign – A minor injury suffered in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.

5. Patrick “Mad Dog” Meagher (15/1)

• Code of Honor – A solid third in the Florida Derby (G1) was a positive sign as he moves toward Kentucky.
• Signalman – It’s onto the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) after a poor effort in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• Knicks Go – We can close the book on him after a terrible Gotham Stakes (G3) performance.
• Rowayton – This colt is training very well leading up to his first start in 2019, though no specific plans have been announced.
• Elvis – After another poor effort, it’s safe to say that this horse just doesn’t have much talent.

6. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (20/1)

• Instagrand – A poor effort in the Gotham Stakes (G3) has many wondering if he could be more of a sprinter. We’ll find out this weekend in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Kingly – After his second-place effort in the El Camino Real Derby, he might get another shot at a prep race soon. He is working out well.
• Mind Control – He looked like a winner in the Gotham Stakes (G3); however, he had to settle for second, and it now looks like he will stick to sprinting.
• Dream Maker – His Tampa Bay Derby (G2) was a total flop. He will look to bounce back this weekend in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).
• Dessman – He was Wood Memorial (G2)-bound this weekend until Baffert pulled the plug. His next start is undetermined.

7. Jared Welch (20/1)

• Country House – He had a disappointing fourth-place run in the Louisiana Derby (G2). It looks like he’ll run again before the Kentucky Derby, though, which is good for this team.
• Gun It – An allowance at Keeneland on Friday is next for this disappointing colt.
• Spinoff – He looked to have the Louisiana Derby (G2) won before losing to By My Standards in the last stages of the race.
• Intrepid Heart – Pletcher said that this horse is ultimately being pointed towards the Belmont Stakes (G1), but first, he will take on Gun It in an allowance at Keeneland this Friday.
• Gray Attempt – He bounced back with a nice sprint win in the Gazebo Stakes, which has him back on the path to the Arkansas Derby (G1).

8. The Magic Mike Show (20/1)

• Mucho – His strong 2019 debut in an allowance apparently wasn’t enough to for his connections to attempt the Kentucky Derby trail. He is now targeting a 7-furlong sprint at Aqueduct on the Wood Memorial (G2) undercard.
• Well Defined – The pace killed him in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). There are no public plans for him at the moment.
• Walking Thunder – His UAE Derby (G2) effort was decent; however, he could be at his best when going 1 mile.
• Limonite – We’ll turn the page on this horse after a poor Louisiana Derby (G2) effort.
• Plus Que Parfait – His UAE Derby (G2) upset has given this team a shot of life. They now have a Kentucky Derby runner.

9. Dan “Wise Dan” Waite (30/1)

• Bourbon War – It was a major blow to this team’s chances when he finished fourth in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Mr. Money – We can close the book on him after another poor effort in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Win Win Win – His third-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) wasn’t horrible considering he had a very wide trip.
• Standard Deviation – It look like the Belmont Stakes (G1) is his ultimate goal.
• Nolo Contesto – A recent poor allowance effort in sloppy conditions was discouraging; however, he will still attempt the Santa Anita Derby (G1) this Saturday.

10. The Fans: Austin and Bones (99/1) 

• Vekoma – His third-place effort in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) was good enough for his connections to try him back in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).
• Mihos – An injury has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.
• Tax – We’ll see him again in the Wood Memorial (G2).
• Sueno – This horse was a bright spot for the fans while running a solid third in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Owendale – Following a poor performance in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), he is being considered for the Lexington Stakes (G3).