Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: The Show Rolls On

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

Rules Update

The dictator has been working closely with Churchill Downs, The Stronach Group, and NYRA, as well as various health professionals from around the world to make the best decision possible for the health of the league members. Today, I, in conjunction with Churchill Downs and NBC, officially announced that the Kentucky Derby will be postponed to September 5. We believe that the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes will make similar moves, keeping the Triple Crown intact for the fall. Based on that, here is what you need to know right now: 

• All points earned will remain intact.
• All remaining points races will hold the same point values, assuming any are actually contested. This includes 5 points for a victory in a non-prep event.
• New qualifying races will be announced. Those races will be assigned points by the dictator and made available once the decisions are final. As of now, we don’t know any of these races.
• Starting next week, all claims will now only cost 20 points. That rule will stay in place through August. So, March 23 through the end of August, teams can claim a horse for 20 points. In September, the cost to claim will move back up to 40 points, with an October claiming costing 50 points.
• The league will still end with the Belmont Stakes, assuming it is moved to October. 

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 (9/5)

• 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. The Florida Derby (G1) is his next scheduled start.
• 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.
• 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? 
• Little Menace – A nice allowance win at Oaklawn Park showed that he has some ability, though all three of his starts have been at 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 (2/1)

• 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) remains his next target.
• Modernist – This new member of the team won Division 2 of the Risen Star Stakes (G2) in front-running fashion. Can he do it again this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2)? 
• Market Analysis – It was a big disappointment in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) for this horse, who looks like he might end up being a poor claim. 
• Enforceable – He was up against the track bias in Division 2 of the Risen Star Stakes (G2) in a big way, but he was still able to rally and finish second. He’s back again this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Tizamagician – The team mascot earned a career-best 89 Beyer while running a decent fourth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and is heading to Dubai to contest the U.A.E. Derby (G2).

3. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (6/1)

• Structor – Originally, Slim’s first round pick is off the Kentucky Derby Trail. However, with the Derby not 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. 
• Ra’ad – Who knows what’s going on with him after a failed turf experiment in the Pasadena Stakes.
• Nadal – This team now has a shot to win 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. Was entered to run in Sunland Derby (G3) prior to it’s cancellation.
• Ete Indien – The newest member of the team looked unbelievable in a blowout win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). The $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) 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 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 had his first work of 2020 on February 15. 
• Silver State – It was another solid effort for him in Division 1 of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), where he finished third. He’ll give it another shot this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
• Sole Volante – He picked up a nice second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), which shows he can be consistent on the 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 – A third place effort in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) was decent; however, there are still questions about his talents. 
• Basin – His third place effort 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 the last round of preps. 
• 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, finishing third to superstar Charlatan. 

8. Brandon “B$” Bauer (50/1)

• 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 major prep events. 
• Shotski – He is proving to be just an average horse after a so-so effort in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). 
• Max Player – The newest member of the team was an easy winner of the Withers Stakes (G3) last time out. He’s reportedly going to train up to the Wood Memorial (G2).
• Lynn’s Map – It was another dud effort from him in Division 2 of the Risen Star Stakes (G2). He’ll give it one more shot this weekend 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.
• 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. 
• Portos – This horse could sneak his way into the Kentucky Derby, but he seems to lack the talent to be a major prospect. He runs this weekend in the Louisiana Derby (G2).