Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Santa Anita Derby Week Looms Large

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

Current Remaining Points Race Schedule

20-10-5-1:

• Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park
• Ohio Derby at Thistledown
• Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand
• Los Alamitos Derby at Los Alamitos
• Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs

50-25-10-5:

Recent Claims

• Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector CLAIMED Ny Traffic and DROPPED Three Technique

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 (7/5)

• 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. He runs next in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Modernist – The Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner came back to run a solid third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and was flattered when Mr. Big News, whom he defeated in the Risen Star, won the Oaklawn Stakes. He is possible for the Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Dr Post – The recent Magic Mike claim looked good winning the Unbridled Stakes at Gulfstream Park despite a rough trip. The Belmont Stakes (G1) could be next.
• Enforceable – He got a brutal trip in the Louisiana Derby (G2), which saw him miss the board for the first time this season. 
• Tizamagician – He came back stiff after an off-the-board finish in an allowance race against older horses and has been turned out for a freshening.

2. Jared Welch (3/1)

• Maxfield – He looked like a monster in his Matt Winn Stakes (G3) victory to put this team right back in the hunt.   
• Eight Rings – He sucked something fierce in the Bachelor Stakes. The good news is that we will never have to see any more tweets about him from this team.
• Toledo – He ran well at Churchill Downs in his last start, finishing second in an allowance race. He will likely run in a stakes race next. 
• Shoplifted – He is 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. It sounds like he is pointing toward July’s Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park for his next start.

3. Aaron Halterman (9/2)

• 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 is probable for this weekend’s Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Authentic – The San Felipe Stakes (G2) was another solid effort from a colt who might have a serious future. He is pointing to this weekend’s Santa Anita Derby (G1).
• Little Menace – He was nowhere to be found in the Bachelor Stakes, so he is likely going to be dropped later in the year. 
• Pneumatic – His first effort against stakes company was decent, finishing a close third in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3).

4. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (6/1)

• 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! He is currently back working out.
• Ny Traffic – The newest member of the team has shown great consistency on the Derby Trail this year. 
• Charlatan – He picked up another impressive gate-to-wire victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1), dominating from start to finish. The Belmont Stakes (G1) could be his next target; however, a positive test after the Arkansas Derby has his future in question. 
• Country Grammer – This son of Tonalist showed some signs of life late in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). He returns this week in a tough allowance race at Belmont Park.
• No Parole – He may not be a Kentucky Derby contender, but he proved that he can beat a great sprinter with a nice allowance win at Oaklawn Park. 

5. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (8/1)

• Thousand Words – His Oaklawn Stakes effort was a total disaster, putting his future in question. 
• Cezanne – The $3.65 million purchase might finally make his debut on June 6 at Santa Anita Park.
• Nadal – Unfortunately, he was injured after a workout last week and is reportedly heading off to stud duty.
• Necker Island – He continues to run poorly, with his most recent effort being an off-the-board finish in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3). 
• Caracaro – He finally worked out for the first time in months and can hopefully get back in time to help this team finish the year strongly. 

6. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (10/1)

• Honor A. P. – 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, which will be put to the test in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) this weekend.
• Storm the Court – We can probably close the door on his chances of being a top 3-year-old after an off-the-board finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1). 
• Basin – He rebounded from a poor Oaklawn Stakes with a solid runner-up effort to Charlatan in the Arkansas Derby (G1). He is listed as possible for the Belmont Stakes (G1). 
• 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, and his last workout came in mid-April.

7. Real Dynasty (20/1)

• Green Light Go – He finished second in the Roar Stakes at Gulfstream Park, his first start in three months and his second in seven. He should improve off of that effort – if he can stay healthy.
• Mr. Monomoy – Unfortunately, this colt suffered an injury and he’s still going to miss the Kentucky Derby. He is said to be pointing towards the Preakness Stakes (G1). 
• Farmington Road – He came running late in the Arkansas Derby (G1); however, he could do no better than a distant fourth. He is possible for the Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Silver State – After a consistent start to the 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. His next start is likely to come in the Belmont Stakes (G1). 

8. Dan “Wise Dan” Waite (50/1)

• Sonneman – He is back on the Wise Dan team after getting drafted and then dropped earlier in the year. We’ll see if Dan keeps him a little longer this time. 
• Gouverneur Morris – After running fourth in the Florida Derby (G1), he came back to run a decent third in the Arkansas Derby (G1). The Belmont Stakes (G1) could be where he runs next.
• Shotski – It was recently announced that he is out for the rest of the year due to minor bone bruising.
• Max Player – The newest member of the team was an easy winner of the Withers Stakes (G3) last time out. His next start could come in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Mystic Guide – This recent maiden special weight winner at Fair Grounds looked like a horse with a big future. He’ll run this week in a tough Belmont Park allowance race.

9. Brandon “B$” Bauer (99/1)

• Dennis’ Moment – Once the most hyped horse in the class at age 2, he is officially off of the Kentucky Derby trail.
• 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 and has gone missing from the work tab.
• Silver Prospector – He was a no-show once again in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Thunder Code – This maiden was expected to return in March, but he has yet to get on the worktab in 2020.
• Major Fed – The newest addition to this team did very little running in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3).

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). He will run next in the 7-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.
• Ajaaweed – He came up “dull” in his preparation for the Florida Derby (G1), causing him to scratch from the race. He has been absent since.
• Answer In – He sucked in a recent Oaklawn allowance race.
• King Guillermo – He looks like a good claim after he ran a solid second in the stronger division of the Arkansas Derby (G1). He is currently taking time off and will miss the Belmont Stakes (G1).
• Wells Bayou – He ran off the board in the Arkansas Derby (G1); however, he could still be a useful horse moving forward. He is reportedly targeting either the Indiana Derby (G3) or the Blue Grass (G2) for his next start.