Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes Kentucky Derby Rankings 2/12/20: Nadal Shines in San Vicente Stakes February 12, 2020 Ernie Belmonte Kentucky Derby Racing Dudes Kentucky Derby Rankings 2/12/20: Nadal Shines in San Vicente Stakes February 12, 2020 By: Aaron Halterman twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Welcome to the 2020 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse. You can also visit our Kentucky Derby page for loads of information, including the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more! Here is our second set of Kentucky Derby Rankings for the 2020 season: ( Content Continues Below Ad ) 1. Tiz the Law Derby Points/Rank: 22 – 2nd Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $498,900 Breeding: Constitution – Tizfiz (Tiznow) Owner: Sackatoga Stable Trainer: Barcaly Tagg Last Race: 1st, Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike Analysis: We’ll stick with him on top in our latest 2020 Kentucky Derby Rankings. His Holy Bull Stakes (G3) win was ultra-impressive. He showed a quick burst of speed, a must-have for a horse to win the Derby. He also has room for improvement off of that effort, making him pretty dangerous moving forward. 2. Nadal Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $153,000 Breeding: Blame – Ascending Angel (Pulpit) Owner: George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman, and Mark Mathiesen Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: 1st, San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: His San Vicente Stakes (G2) performance was impressive. He went fast early, was pressed while being on the inside, yet was still able to fend off all challengers. He has a distance pedigree that will be put to the test next time out in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. 3. Authentic Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 16th Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $91,200 Breeding: Into Mischief – Flawless (Mr. Greeley) Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Frederick Hertrich, John Fielding, and Golconda Stabels Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: 1st, Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: His breeding might be questionable for the Derby and he was very green in the stretch of the Sham Stakes (G3), but the talent that he put on display in that race was hard to ignore. There is no doubt that he will need to mature a bit, but at this point in the season, many horses have the same issues. 4. Thousand Words Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 3rd Race Record: (3) 3-0-0 Earnings: $211,000 Breeding: Pioneerof the Nile – Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Spendthrift Farm LLC Trainer: Bob Baffert Last Race: 1st, Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow Analysis: We haven’t seen a lot of flash from him, yet he has been nothing but solid in three straight efforts. He is more of a grinder who really seems to like getting into a fight and winning. He needs to progress from a speed figure standpoint, though. 5. Maxfield Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 10th Race Record: (2) 2-0-0 Earnings: $354,412 Breeding: Street Sense – Velvety (Bernardini) Owner: Godolphin, LLC Trainer: Brendan Walsh Last Race: 1st, Breeders Futurity (G1) at Keeneland Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: This colt was extremely solid as a 2-year-old, which made people excited about his chances in big races this year. We’ll have more on him once we hear where he’s pointing for his 2020 debut. 6. Dennis’ Moment Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 13th Race Record: (4) 2-0-0 Earnings: $167,800 Breeding: Tiznow – Transplendid (Elusive Quality) Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC Trainer: Dale Romans Last Race: 8th, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer Analysis: After a highly disappointing Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) effort, he’s back and ready for redemption this year. He’s currently working well at Gulfstream Park as he points for the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) to kick off his campaign. 7. Sole Volante Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 12th Race Record: (4) 3-0-1 Earnings: $196,310 Breeding: Karakontie – Light Blow (Kingmambo) Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone, and Limelight Stable Corp. Trainer: Patrick Biancone Last Race: 1st, Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Real Dynasty Analysis: He burst onto the scene with an impressive win in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. After a hot pace, he was able to close strongly with a multiple length victory. He should love going longer as well; his pedigree screams distance. 8. Anneau d’Or Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 7th Race Record: (3) 1-2-0 Earnings: $399,000 Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – Walk Close (Tapit) Owner: Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd. Trainer: Blaine Wright Last Race: 2nd, Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: This colt is a narrow margin away from being 3-for-3 with two major graded stakes victories, which would have made him the 2-year-old champion of the year. His solid progression has been fun to watch. He should be ready for his 3-year-old debut in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds on February 15. 9. Structor Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (3) 3-0-0 Earnings: $709,500 Breeding: Palace Malice – Miss Always Ready (More Than Ready) Owner: Jeff Drown and Don Rachel Trainer: Chad Brown Last Race: 1st, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: We’re in a holding pattern here until we see how he does on dirt. Brown wouldn’t point him to the dirt if he wasn’t confident in his chances. Breeding-wise, there is a chance that he will excel on it, and we know that he has a high level of talent. 10. Enforceable Derby Points/Rank: 13 – 6th Race Record: (7) 2-1-2 Earnings: $267,150 Breeding: Tapit – Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union) Owner: John Oxley Trainer: Mark Casse Last Race: 1st, Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike Analysis: This horse looked like he make a solid progression between 2 and 3, which is what you want to see in a Derby contender. His Lecomte Stakes (G3) win was visually impressive. He’s trending in the right direction and has another opportunity coming up this weekend in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). ( Content Continues Below Ad ) 11. Independence Hall Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 4th Race Record: (4) 3-1-0 Earnings: $250,000 Breeding: Constitution – Kalahari Cat (Cape Town) Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables LLC, Kathleen Verratti, and Robert Verratti Trainer: Michael Trombetta Last Race: 2nd, Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman Analysis: His Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) effort was not terrible. He drafted right behind a very fast early pace, then got passed late by Sole Volante. It’s important to note that he was well clear of third in that race. He’s a solid horse, though perhaps that race raised some distance concerns. 12. Gouverneur Morris Derby Points/Rank: 4 – 22nd Race Record: (2) 1-1-0 Earnings: $149,500 Breeding: Constitution – Addison Run (Unbridled’s Song) Owner: Team Valor International and WinStar Farm LLC Trainer: Todd Pletcher Last Race: 2nd, Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: This horse has always had a lot of hype and has been solid in two starts. We’ll know more about him this week when he runs at Tampa Bay Downs in a pretty tough allowance event. 13. Basin Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (3) 2-1-0 Earnings: $261,000 Breeding: Liam’s Map – Appenzell (Johannesburg) Owner: Jackpot Farm Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: 1st, Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White and Ryan Stillman Analysis: He was impressive as a 2-year-old, winning the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, but an injury cost him the rest of the season. He’s back working and has the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park as his first goal. 14. Honor A. P. Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR Race Record: (2) 1-1-0 Earnings: $42,200 Breeding: Honor Code – Hollywood Story (Wild Rush) Owner: C R K Stable LLC Trainer: John Shirreffs Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White and Ryan Stillman Analysis: As far as talent goes, this horse has a right to be ranked extremely high, but injuries keep setting him back. He’s slated to make his 2020 debut in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). 15. Max Player Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 14th Race Record: (3) 2-1-0 Earnings: $173,500 Breeding: Honor Code – Fools in Love (Not For Love) Owner: George Hall Trainer: Linda Rice Last Race: 1st, Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite Analysis: The Withers Stakes (G3) winner is now on the Kentucky Derby scene, even though the race wasn’t all that fast. Still, his pedigree is solid, and he did show a nice closing kick. 16. Storm the Court Derby Points/Rank: 22 – 1st Race Record: (5) 2-0-1 Earnings: $1,184,951 Breeding: Court Vision – My Tejana Storm (Tejano Run) Owner: Exline-Border Racing LLC, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson, and Dan Hudock Trainer: Peter Eurton Last Race: 4th, San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White and Ryan Stillman Analysis: Most people were not surprised by his dull effort in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), as it was meant more about just getting him started in 2020. Expect him to be better next time out; however, we still have major questions about his talent level. 17. Ajaaweed Derby Points/Rank: 7 – 17th Race Record: (5) 1-1-1 Earnings: $139,850 Breeding: Curlin – Asiya (Daaher) Owner: Shadwell Stable Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin Last Race: 3rd, Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Austin Elsey and Steve Ronchetto Analysis: He closed fast in the Remsen Stakes (G2) to finish a close second, then made another mild rally in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3). His pedigree suggests that he’ll be solid at longer distances, but he looks like he lacks the major turn of foot it takes to win the Derby. 18. Gold Street Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 15th Race Record: (6) 3-2-0 Earnings: $225,218 Breeding: Street Boss – Morakami (Fusaichi Pegasus) Owner: Mike McCarthy Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: 1st, Smary Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE Analysis: Pedigree-wise, he looks like a sprinter, but he was impressive in the Smarty Jones Stakes. He has also proven to like the slop, which is never a bad thing. It will be interesting to see how he does as the distances get longer. 19. Three Technique Derby Points/Rank: 4 – 28th Race Record: (5) 2-3-0 Earnings: $154,750 Breeding: Mr Speaker – Nite in Rome (Harlan’s Holiday) Owner: August Dawn Farm Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart Last Race: 2nd, Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector Analysis: He was really up against it in the Smarty Jones Stakes, having no pace to run into and a short Oaklawn Park stretch. It’ll be interesting to see how he runs in longer races with different pace dynamics. 20. Shoplifted Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 8th Race Record: (6) 2-1-1 Earnings: $400,500 Breeding: Into Mischief – Shopit (Yes It’s True) Owner: Cheyenne Stables LLC, Grandview Equine, and LNJ Foxwoods Trainer: Steve Asmussen Last Race: 3rd, Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch Analysis: He seems like the type of horse who can sneak into the Derby by finishing on the board in big races. We know that he has class and we can expect him to show up with a solid effort every time. However, he’s probably just a cut below the top horses.
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