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.
