Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Pivotal Florida Derby Up Next

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 (8/5) 

• Hidden Scroll – He set too fast of a pace in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), finishing fourth. This Saturday, we’ll find out what he’s made of in the Florida Derby (G1).
• Improbable – A solid second in the Rebel Stakes (G2) should have him ready to roll in his next start.
• War of Will – His Louisiana Derby (G2) was a disaster; however, it looks like he is going to be ok after being slightly injured in the race.
• Omaha Beach – The Rebel Stakes (G2) winner proved that he is for real with a hard-fought nose victory.
• Maximum Security – He looks to jump up in class in a big way this Saturday in a start in 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.
• Super Steed – Bone bruising has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby Trail.
• US Navy Cross – He’s posted several works in a row, but no public plans for a race have been made at this time.
• Anothertwistafate – His Sunland Derby (G3) effort was very solid and secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
• Roadster – A sharp allowance victory has him pointing towards the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

3. Aaron Halterman (3/1)

•  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.
• Gunmetal Gray – An injury has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby Trail.
• Long Range Toddy – His Rebel Stakes (G2) upset over Improbable has this team in first place in the points standings.
• 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 the entry box after a couple of workouts.

4. Brandon “B$” Bauer (6/1)

• Galilean – His Rebel Stakes (G2) effort was good enough to keep him on the Kentucky Derby Trail.
• Haikal – The Gotham Stakes (G3) winner is safely in the Kentucky Derby. Now, he’s pointed towards the Wood Memorial (G2).
• So Alive – We are still awaiting details of where he plans to run next.
• Tacitus – A perfect ride by Jose Ortiz earned him top honors in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
• 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 (12/1)

• Code of Honor – His huge win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) was solid, while he now points towards the Florida Derby (G1) this Saturday.
• Signalman – It’s on to 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 – His debut race was… BAD.

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.
• Kingly – After his second-place effort in the El Camino Real Derby, he might get another shot at a prep race soon.
• Mind Control – He looked like a winner in the Gotham Stakes (G3); however, he had to settle for second.
• Dream Maker – His Tampa Bay Derby (G2) was a total flop.
• Dessman – After breaking slowly, he still ran well to finish second in an allowance race at Oaklawn Park.

7. Jared Welch (20/1)

• Country House – It was a disappointing run for him in the Louisiana Derby (G2) as he finished fourth. He still should have enough points to make the Kentucky Derby.
• Gun It – It’s hard to guess what might happen next for this disappointing colt; most likely, it will be an allowance race.
• Spinoff – He looked to have the Louisiana Derby (G2) won before losing in 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).
• 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. Dan “Wise Dan” Waite (20/1)

• Bourbon War – His fast-closing second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) was ultra-impressive. Let’s see if he can get the job done this week 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 point for a prep race in his next start.

9. The Magic Mike Show (99/1)

• 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).
• Walking Thunder – The UAE Derby (G2) will be a critical race for both him and this team.
• Limonite – We’ll turn the page on this horse after a poor Louisiana Derby (G2) effort.
• Plus Que Parfait – Much like Walking Thunder, the UAE Derby (G2) is going to be a vital race for both him and this team.

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).