Racing Dudes Fantasy League Update: Three Preps Highlight Huge Weekend

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

• In a 2-way shake: Austin/Evil Steveil CLAIMED Spa City and DROPPED Ancient Warrior

Real Dynasty was the other team involved in the shake.

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 (8/5)

• 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. 
• Market Analysis – Todd Pletcher debuted this colt on Pegasus Day, where he defeated maiden special weight company. He’ll run this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). 
• 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. 
• Tizamagician – The team mascot earned a career-best 89 Beyer while running a decent fourth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3). He is scheduled to head to Dubai for the U.A.E. Derby (G2).

2. Aaron Halterman (3/1)

• 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. 
• Authentic – The Sham Stakes (G3) announced his arrival as a major Kentucky Derby contender. Look for him to return this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• 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. 

3. Paul “Free Beers” Withrow (9/2)

• Thousand Words – Things are looking up for this team after this horse won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in impressive fashion. We’ll see if he can continue to progress this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
• Ra’ad – Who knows what it going on with him after a failed turf experiment in the Pasadena Stakes.
• Nadal – In a four-way shake, Paul picked up his third horse trained by Bob Baffert, but this one might end up being his best. His San Vicente Stakes (G2) win was very impressive. He’ll likely go to the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park next time out. 
• Necker Island – A dull effort in the Swale Stakes (G3) was not what this team wanted to see. Can he rebound this weekend in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct? 
• 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.

4. Jared Welch (6/1)

• 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 recorded his first workout of the year on February 17.
• Eight Rings – This Grade 1 winner has class, but he just recorded his first work of 2020 on February 13. It looks like he will get started very late on the Derby trail.
• Toledo – His third-place Holy Bull Stakes (G3) effort was not encouraging, though two really good horses defeated him.
• Shoplifted – A lackluster fourth in the Southwest Stakes (G3) is not what this team wanted to see.  
• Ete Indien – The newest member of the team looked unbelievable in a blowout win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). 

5. Real Dynasty (8/1)

• 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, a minor injury has forced this colt off of the Derby Trail.
• 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.
• Sole Volante – He’s back in the league! A month after Jon and Ryan dropped him, he impressively won the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), so the Dynasty boys picked him up. He’ll run this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). 

6. Jon White/Ryan Stillman (12/1)

• Honor A. P. – It took several weeks after he missed the Sham Stakes (G3), but we finally have an update on his status: he’s returning in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) this weekend.
• Storm the Court – His San Vicente Stakes (G2) effort was not what they wanted to see, but he should improve off of that effort this weekend in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). 
• Basin – The Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner will likely impact the Derby Trail later in the season after an injury forced him to miss some time. 
• Chance It – He earned a hard-fought victory in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes last time out and will run in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) for his next start.
• Great Power – The defending champs are in last place and have turned to this son of Blame to get them back on track. He broke his maiden on debut on September 29 and just recently returned to the worktab with eyes on the Sunland Derby (G3).

7. Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector (15/1)

• Structor – The undefeated turf star will make his first dirt start when he steps onto the Kentucky Derby Trail in 2020. He was scheduled to appear in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) until a minor setback put his status in question.
• Three Technique – A decent closing kick to finish second in the Smarty Jones Stakes gives him some hope for the future. The Rebel Stakes (G2) should be up next.
• Charlatan – Slim won a seven-way shake for Charlatan, who could be the next big star from the Bob Baffert barn. 
• Country Grammer – This son of Tonalist showed some signs of life, finishing up decently in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
• No Parole – An easy stakes win at Delta Downs while facing fellow Louisiana-breds has him pointing toward the Rebel Stakes (G2) for his next start.

8. Brandon “B$” Bauer (30/1)

• 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 (G3); however, this horse was far from impressive. 
• Silver Prospector – Boom! His impressive Southwest Stakes (G3) win is exactly what this team needed
• 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. Will the Gotham Stakes (G3) be next?
• 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).

10. Austin Elsey/Steve “Evil Steveil” Ronchetto (50/1)

• Spa City – This new claim will be put to the test this weekend in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). 
• 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 – He returned to the worktab on February 16 as he prepares for his 2020 debut.
• Portos – This horse could sneak his way into the Kentucky Derby, but he seems to lack the talent to be a major prospect.