Derby Dreamer Fantasy League
A friend suggested I check out the thoroughbred racing fantasy league at DerbyDreamer.com. I’ve tried football and baseball fantasy leagues before and the hours of strategy and analysis just weren’t worth it; especially when I’d rather spend time playing the races. But Derby Dreamer offers two noteworthy advantages: 1) a lucrative $10K monthly cash prize, and 2) it doesn’t require much time and effort.Derby Dreamer has some fringe benefits as well: access to Brisnet-provided past performances and race replays. However, only about 500 or so horses are available to choose from so far.
How Derby Dreamer works:
For a $12 fee you establish a fantasy stable and participate in monthly contests for one year. So you get 12 chances to win $10,000. As part of their “2010 Inaugural Derby Special,” they’re offering a $1,000 second place prize and tickets to the upcoming KY Derby for the top three finishers in March.
You can select 18 horses and 5 jockeys for each stable and then “activate” 12 horses and 3 jockeys eligible to receive points for the month.
Points acrue based on how well your stable (horses and jockeys) performs according to the typle of race. See table below:
Derby Dreamer Points Structure - Horses
| Race Class | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Worse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KY Derby | 5,000 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 0 |
| G1 | 2,500 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 1,000 | 500 | 0 |
| G2 | 1,000 | 800 | 600 | 400 | 200 | -10 |
| G3 | 500 | 400 | 300 | 200 | 100 | -10 |
| Stakes | 375 | 300 | 225 | 150 | 75 | -10 |
| Allowance | 300 | 240 | 180 | 120 | 60 | -10 |
| MSW | 250 | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50 | -10 |
| Mdn Claiming | 200 | 160 | 120 | 80 | 40 | -20 |
| Claiming | 150 | 120 | 90 | 60 | 30 | -20 |
Strategy Considerations:
I don’t pretend to be a Derby Dreamer expert, but you clearly need your stable to do well in G1 races to maximize your score. For instance, last weekend my “Walter Sobchak Stables” had three stakes winners: MAKE MUSIC FOR ME, AWESOME ACT, and CRISP. However, MAKE MUSIC FOR ME and AWESOME ACT combined to win only 875 points for their Pasadena (non-graded) and Gotham (G3) wins respectively. Meanwhile, CRISP won 2,500 points for winning the G1 Santa Anita Oaks. In addition, BLIND LUCK received 1,500 points for finishing third in the Oaks.
Walter Sobchak Stables is currently 93rd out of about 1,000 stables so my chances of winning the $10K and Derby tickets appear to be out of reach. Had I studied the points structure closely before selecting my stable, I would’ve selected more starters entered in last week’s three Grade 1 races at Santa Anita.
My advice for new players: fill your stable with horses slated to run in G1 races and jockeys with lots of live G1 mounts. Some skill and racing luck just might get you $10,000; that’s true March Madness!
12 March 2010, 11:44 am
This looks like a much easier version than the other fantasy games I’ve been trying. Thaks for the heads-up!!
12 March 2010, 7:26 pm
No problem Brian. I think a shot at winning $10K is worth the 12 bones it will cost to register. Good luck if you decide to play!
12 March 2010, 10:44 pm
I’m alive with 8 horses in play with Interactif, Zenyatta, Dublin and Lookin at Lucky going this weekend. I’m in 146th place with abut 4,600 points. I figure I can get about 8,500 points over the next three weeks, especially if Rule goes in the FL Derby and does well. Crossing fingers….
13 March 2010, 1:22 pm
Tony, with Z and Rule entered in the only two remaining G1s of the month you are well positioned. I’ll be pulling for you!
14 March 2010, 4:46 pm
Thanks.
125 and counting at Derby Dreamer and ranked 435 at Road to the Roses….