Racing Dudes Kentucky Derby Rankings 8/26/20: The Final Rankings of 2020!

Welcome to the FINAL 2020 Kentucky Derby Rankings of the year!

It has been a LONG journey this season, but thankfully, we’ve almost made it to Kentucky Derby week! Thanks to all that have followed these weekly rankings since February. 

1. Tiz the Law 

Derby Points/Rank: 372 – 1st

Race Record: (7) 6-0-1

Earnings: $2,015,300

Breeding: Constitution – Tizfiz (Tiznow)

Owner: Sackatoga Stable 

Trainer: Barcaly Tagg

Last Race: 1st, Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike 

Analysis: After his breath-taking win in the Travers Stakes (G1), he’ll likely go off as one of the shortest priced Kentucky Derby favorites ever. He went from good to great with his Travers score, which was easily the best effort of his career. 

2. Art Collector   

Derby Points/Rank: 150 – 3rd

Race Record: (9) 5-1-0

Earnings: $664,380

Breeding: Bernardini – Distorted Legacy (Distorted Humor)

Owner: Bruce Lunsford

Trainer: Tom Drury, Jr.

Last Race: 1st, Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman    

Analysis: He has proven to be a worthy second choice in the Kentucky Derby after another impressive win in the Ellis Park Derby. He’s produced three straight triple-digit Beyer speed figures coming into the Derby. 

3. Honor A. P.

Derby Points/Rank: 140 – 4th

Race Record: (5) 2-3-0

Earnings: $382,200

Breeding: Honor Code – Hollywood Story (Wild Rush)

Owner: C R K Stable LLC

Trainer: John Shirreffs 

Last Race: 2nd, Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White and Ryan Stillman

Analysis: The knee-jerk reaction from his runner-up effort in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar would be to panic; however, there is no doubt this horse wants to run longer. He ran into a horse in that race that earned a career best beyer, while Honor A. P. was gaining late in the stretch. It’s not ideal to lose your final prep race, though, which is a cause for concern. With that being said, he’s still a top contender on the first Saturday in September.

4. King Guillermo  

Derby Points/Rank: 90 – 6th

Race Record: (5) 2-1-1

Earnings: $340,350

Breeding: Uncle Mo – Slow Sand (Dixieland Band)

Owner: Victoria’s Ranch

Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila 

Last Race: 2nd, Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Austin and Evil Steveil   

Analysis: It’s funny that we were all skeptical of this horse after he won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2); however, now we all believe in him after losing division 2 of the Arkansas Derby (G1). His loss showed that he can repeat that top effort, though, when finishing a solid second to the powerful Nadal. We now know to take this horse very seriously moving forward, while he has been working out extremely well at Churchill Downs leading up to the race. 

5. Caracaro 

Derby Points/Rank: 60 – 10th

Race Record: (4) 1-3-0

Earnings: $238,800

Breeding: Uncle Mo – Peace Time (War Front)

Owner: Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing LLC 

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado  

Last Race: 2nd, Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow  

Analysis: This horse has shown a lot of talent in his last starts. He should have won the Peter Pan Stakes (G3); however, a wide trip cost him. In the Travers Stakes (G1), he made a winning move on the turn, but was no match for Tiz the Law. 

6. Authentic 

Derby Points/Rank: 200 – 2nd

Race Record: (5) 4-1-0

Earnings: $1,011,200

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, Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman 

Analysis: There is no doubt this colt has great ability; however, he just don’t looked to be suited for the Kentucky Derby distance. He looked to be ready to dominated the Haskell Stakes (G1), but slow down significantly in the stretch, almost losing to Ny Traffic. Regardless, he’s proven his class with three stakes victories this season. 

7. Ny Traffic 

Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 5th 

Race Record: (9) 2-3-2

Earnings: $565,470

Breeding: Cross Traffic – Mamie Reilly (Graeme Hall)

Owner: John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Last Race: 2nd, Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector  

Analysis: This horse is consistently showing up with big efforts everywhere he’s entered, while slowly improving with each start. He nearly caught Authentic at the wire in the Haskell Stakes (G1), coming up just a bit short. He could be an underneath factor in the Derby at a nice price if he keeps progressing. 

8. Max Player 

Derby Points/Rank: 60 – 9th

Race Record: (5) 2-1-2

Earnings: $373,500

Breeding: Honor Code – Fools in Love (Not For Love)

Owner: George Hall 

Trainer: Linda Rice

Last Race: 3rd, Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite 

Analysis: He’s an honest horse that brings his normal effort every time. If he runs in the Derby, there is no doubt he’ll have a chance to hit the board, but that will be his ceiling. 

9. Thousand Words

Derby Points/Rank: 83 – 7th 

Race Record: (7) 4-1-0

Earnings: $327,000

Breeding: Pioneerof the Nile – Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy)

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Spendthrift Farm LLC 

Trainer: Bob Baffert   

Last Race: 1st, Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar  

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow  

Analysis: Don’t look now, but this horse has rounded back into form at the perfect time. He earned a 104 beyer for his Shared Belief Stakes victory, which is the highest of anyone pointing for the Kentucky Derby. This once forgotten 3-year-old is now a logical contender once again. 

10. Dr Post 

Derby Points/Rank: 80 – 8th 

Race Record: (5) 2-1-1

Earnings: $361,635

Breeding: Quality Road – Mary Delaney (Hennessy)

Owner: St. Elias Stable 

Trainer: Todd Pletcher 

Last Race: 3rd, Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike

Analysis: There is no way around it, he came up flat in the Haskell Stakes (G1), which was a winnable race for him. This was the first real setback of his career, after he had been progressing nicely with each start before his last race. He’ll need to rebound in a major way to make an impact in the Derby. 

11. Enforceable 

Derby Points/Rank: 43 – 11th

Race Record: (10) 2-2-2

Earnings: $397,150

Breeding: Tapit – Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union)

Owner: John Oxley 

Trainer: Mark Casse 

Last Race: 4th, Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike

Analysis: At this point he has proven to be a useful horse; however, he doesn’t seem like a win contender for a big time race. He is strictly a “hit the board” type that makes one run down the lane and passes tired horses. 

12. Rushie 

Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 13th

Race Record: (6) 2-1-2

Earnings: $189,351

Breeding: Liam’s Map – Conquest Angel (Colonel John)

Owner: Jim and Donna Daniell

Trainer: Michael McCarthy 

Last Race: 3rd, Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Real Dynasty 

Analysis: After back to back third place efforts in Derby preps, this horse has earned his way into the field, but must be a late nomination. It’s likely his connections will do just that; however, he has a little ways to go before he can be considered a win contender. 

13. Major Fed  

Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 14th

Race Record: (6) 1-2-1

Earnings: $215,600

Breeding: Ghostzapper – Bobby’s Babe (Smart Strike)

Owner: Lloyd Madison Farms IV, LLC

Trainer: Gregory Foley   

Last Race: 2nd, Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer 

Analysis: This horse has made his way into the Kentucky Derby starting gate after a few on the board efforts in prep events. Last time out, he came with a strong run down the lane, finishing second in the Indiana Derby (G3).

14. Sole Volante  

Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 17th 

Race Record: (7) 4-1-1

Earnings: $323,310

Breeding: Karakontie – Light Blow (Kingmambo)

Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone, and Limelight Stable Corp.

Trainer: Patrick Biancone 

Last Race: 6th, Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Real Dynasty 

Analysis: His Belmont Stakes (G1) no-show is a total head scratcher; he had plenty of pace to run into and was entering the event in great form. We’ll give him a pass for now, but he has to run better in his next start, which is yet to be determined.

15. Attachment Rate  

Derby Points/Rank: 35 – 16th 

Race Record: (8) 1-3-1

Earnings: $143,732

Breeding: Hard Spun – Arista (Afleet Alex) 

Owner: Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister

Trainer: Dale Romans 

Last Race: 2nd, Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE

Analysis: It’s good to see Dale Romans will be represented in the Kentucky Derby with this last minute qualifier. He came running with the best race of his career in the Ellis Park Derby, finishing second behind Art Collector. 

16. Necker Island

Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 21st

Race Record: (10) 2-0-3

Earnings: $199,730

Breeding: Hard Spun – Jenny’s Rocket (Mr. Greeley)

Owner: Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr 

Trainer: Chris Hartman 

Last Race: 3rd, Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park 

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE  

Analysis: Since getting claimed by Chris Hartman, this horse has run better, and somehow has found his way into this field. He’ll be hard pressed to make an impact; however, congrats to his new connections for getting him here. 

17. Storm the Court

Derby Points/Rank: 36 – 15th 

Race Record: (9) 2-1-3

Earnings: $1,310,451

Breeding: Court Vision – My Tejana Storm (Tejana Run) 

Owner: David A Bernsen LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson

Trainer: Peter Eurton 

Last Race: 2nd, La Jolla Handicap (G3) at Del Mar

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE

Analysis: Somehow, he is still in this field based on points. Surely they won’t send him to the race, but if they do, he will be nothing more than filler. 

18. Finnick the Fierce 

Derby Points/Rank: 25 – 21st 

Race Record: (9) 2-1-2

Earnings: $191,290

Breeding: Dialed In – Southern Classic (Southern Image) 

Owner: Arnaldo Monge and Rey Hernandez 

Trainer: Rey Hernandez 

Last Race: 9th, Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland  

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE

Analysis: There’s a chance he could be closing down the lane, passing tired horses, but probably isn’t good enough to make an impact. 

19. Winning Impression 

Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 19th

Race Record: (9) 1-1-2

Earnings: $98,552

Breeding: Paynter – Unbridled Sonya (Unbridled’s Song)

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds and Pearl Racing 

Trainer: Dallas Stewart  

Last Race: 7th, Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE 

Analysis: He’s going to make the gate now after all the defections; however, his chances of making any impact are fairly slim. 

20. Shirl’s Speight 

Derby Points/Rank: 0 – 20th

Race Record: (2) 2-0-0

Earnings: $86,893

Breeding: Speightstown – Perfect Shirl (Perfect Soul) 

Owner: Charles Fipke  

Trainer: Roger Attfield 

Last Race: 1st, Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine

Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE

Analysis: He’ll make history as the first horse to get into the Kentucky Derby with zero points. This will be his first race start outside of Woodbine, and on a dirt surface, which makes him a big question mark.