Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: The Fans Move Out of Last

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

Recent Claims

There was one claim to announce this week

• Ryan Stillman/Jon White claimed Alwaysmining and dropped Hidden Scroll.

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 (7/5) 

• Alwaysmining – The newest member of the team is pointing for the Preakness Stakes (G1), with the Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park as his final prep.
• Improbable – A solid second in the Rebel Stakes (G2) should have him ready to roll this weekend 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 this weekend 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 (9/5)

• Game Winner – He suffered another close loss in the Santa Anita Derby (G1); however, he should be set up well for the Kentucky Derby.
• Super Steed – Bone bruising has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.
• U S Navy Cross – His allowance race at Keeneland was poor. It doesn’t look like he’ll make an impact during the Triple Crown season.
• Anothertwistafate – After a wild weekend, he is now OUT of the Kentucky Derby Top 20, which is why he’ll run this weekend in the Lexington Stakes (G3).
• Roadster – This will turn out to be the claim of the year after his impressive Santa Anita Derby (G1) win.

3. Brandon “B$” Bauer (3/1)

• Galilean – His Rebel Stakes (G2) effort was good enough to keep him on the Kentucky Derby trail. The Arkansas Derby (G1) will be next this weekend.
• Haikal – It was another solid performance for him in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), which has him securely in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
• So Alive – A poor effort in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) is not what this team wanted to see.
• Tacitus – He made it two in a row with an impressive showing in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).
• Global Campaign – A minor injury suffered in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.

4. Aaron Halterman (8/1)

• 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) this weekend.
• 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.

5. Patrick “Mad Dog” Meagher (20/1)

• Code of Honor – A solid third in the Florida Derby (G1) was a positive sign as he moves toward Kentucky.
• Signalman – A decent third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) has him on the Kentucky Derby bubble.
• 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. The Fans: Austin and Bones (30/1) 

• Vekoma – A strong Blue Grass Stakes (G2) has stamped him as a major Kentucky Derby contender.
• Mihos – An injury has forced him off of the Kentucky Derby trail.
• Tax – His Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) second-place effort was a solid performance and placed him in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
• Sueno – Right now, he is on the outside looking in points-wise, but he will likely run this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1) or Lexington Stakes (G3).
• Owendale – Following a poor performance in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), he is being considered for the Lexington Stakes (G3).

7. 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 – He got another terrible trip in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2); however, he came with a big run to finish second.
• Standard Deviation – It look like the Belmont Stakes (G1) is his ultimate goal.
• Nolo Contesto – A poor effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) means that he’ll likely not make an impact during the Triple Crown season.

8. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (50/1)

• Instagrand – His Santa Anita Derby (G1) third-place effort was decent; however, he doesn’t have enough points to make the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
• Kingly – It looks like he has posted a few solid workouts lately; however, we haven’t seen him entered in a long time.
• Mind Control – He picked up a nice win in the Bay Shore Stakes (G3) while sprinting. Maybe he can earn some points if he runs in the Pat Day Mile (G3).
• Dream Maker – As this fantasy owner said, “They need to find something else for him to do other than horse racing.”
• Dessman – His next start is undetermined after an unsatisfactory work last week.

9. Jared Welch (50/1)

• Country House – He had a disappointing fourth in the Louisiana Derby (G2). It looks like he’ll run this weekend in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
• Gun It – It was another disaster for him last weekend in an allowance race at Keeneland.
• 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 – The plan for this horse is working perfectly after a determined allowance win at Keeneland over a solid field.
• 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).

10. The Magic Mike Show (50/1)

• Mucho – Running last of four in the Bay Shore Stakes (G3) was an extremely poor showing.
• 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.