Racing Dudes Divisional Rankings 9/27/16

Older Males

1. California Chrome – He’ll be back in action this week in the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita!

2. Flintshire – Much like California Chrome, Flintshire will also be in action this week in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park!

3. Frosted – Stubbed his toe in a big way in the Woodward Stakes over the weekend as he was upset by Shaman Ghost. Will regroup and try to rebound in the Breeders’ Cup Classic now.

4. Melatonin– Proved his worth for the third straight race as now I’m completely sold that he’s for real. Now has two Grade 1 victories at the classic mile and one quarter distance.

5. Dortmund – His third place effort in the Pacific Classic was not as good as his San Diego Handicap race, but he still ran very well. Lets hope he stays healthy and continues to progress.

Sleeper: Effinex– He is so up and down, but that’s what makes people forget about him. At his best he can run with anyone.

Older Females

1. Tepin – Kept the streak alive in the Woodbine Mile with a big time win. Top dog in the division by a mile right now.

2. Beholder – Big time rematch set for this Saturday in the Zenyatta Stakes as she takes on Stellar Wind.

3. Stellar Wind – Can she beat Beholder two races in a row?  We’ll find out in the Zenyatta Stakes this weekend!

4. Cavorting – Massive win in the Personal Ensign around two turns projects her to another level now. Still couldn’t move her past the top three in this division though.

5. Curalina – Finished a close second in the Personal Ensign and has been running solid all year long.

Sleeper: Forever Unbridled – Another solid effort in the Personal Ensign, but it wasn’t enough to crack the top five just yet.

3 Year Old Males

1. Exaggerator– Sadly he still remains number one at this point as this division is hurting badly.

2. Nyquist – Just isn’t the same horse he once was as he got a fast track in the Pennsylvania Derby and still couldn’t get the job done.

3. Arrogate– If he wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic he is a LOCK to win the Eclipse Award for top 3 year old male.  Even if he hits the board in the Classic he’ll have a real shot.

4. Creator– He stays ranked because of two grade one wins in the Arkansas Derby and Belmont Stakes. His summer at Saratoga was a disaster though, and he’s now done for 2016.

5. Connect – Rebounded off a poor Travers effort to win the Pennsylvania Derby over an evenly matched field.

Sleeper: Gun Runner– I feel awful for this guy as he has run some huge races but just cannot find the winners circle against the big time fields.  Wide trip cost him the race at Parx in the Pennsylvania Derby.

3 Year Old Females

1. Songbird– 11 for 11 with another crushing win in the Cotillion Stakes over the best field she’s ever faced.

2. Catch a Glimpse – Her win streak was busted in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga, but she’s done enough to stay at number two.

3. Carina Mia – Solid filly, but just no match at all for the great Songbird.

4. Cathryn Sophia – Has now been defeated by Carina Mia twice so she’ll fall behind her in the rankings.  Not in the same class as Songbird as well as that was finally proven in the Cotillion.

5. Off The Tracks – Needs a freshening and she will rebound.

Sleeper: Going for Broke – Ran an ok race in the Alabama Stakes to finish second to Songbird. Never threatened though.

Sprinters

1. Lord Nelson – Another massive performance in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby, and this time at 6 furlongs. Definitely the top dog in the division now.

2. A. P. Indian – Another massive effort as he easily won the Grade 1 Forego Stakes. Almost moved him to number one.

3. X Y Jet – Returns this weekend in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont.  This horse could become a serious player if he comes backs strong.

4. Kobe’s Back– No way I’m going to penalize him for his Triple Bend Stakes effort because the ride was poor. He’ll be fine.

5. Masochistic – Very solid effort even though it was only a three horse field in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien.

Sleeper: Runhappy – Is supposed to return this weekend in the Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs.  Everyone is very curious to see his return.

2 Year Old Males

1. Klimt – Won both the Del Mar Futurity and Best Pal Stakes just like Nyquist did last year. Top contender heading into a start this weekend at Santa Anita.

2. Not This Time – Extremely impressive performance in the Iroquois Stakes for this well bred colt. Maybe he can put an end to the west coast domination this year.

3. Straight Fire – Backed up that really fast maiden win with a nice second place effort in the Del Mar Futurity.

4. Big Gray Rocket – Only a maiden winner but his potential could be endless. Most exciting prospect I’ve seen this year on the dirt.

5. Practical Joke – Very impressive winning of the Hopeful Stakes as he’s now a perfect two for two for Chad Brown.

Sleeper: Good Samaritan – Rankings at this time of year are geared towards the dirt males, however Good Samaritan made the biggest impression yet on me when winning the Summer Stakes at Woodbine. He could rise up the rankings quickly.

2 Year Old Females

1. Sweet Loretta – Winner of the Schuylerville and Spinaway Stakes so far makes her the leader in the clubhouse, but it’s wide open.

2. Union Strike – Got revenge on American Cleopatra while also becoming a Grade 1 winner in the Del Mar Debutante.

3. American Cleopatra – Solid second start of her career with a second in the Del Mar Debutante as Union Strike turned the tables on her.

4. Pretty City Dancer – Targeted the Spinaway Stakes from day one and was able to dead heat with Sweet Loretta.

5. Champagne Room – Third place effort in the Del Mar Debutante was solid after winning the Sorrento Stakes.

Sleeper: Nonna Mela – Winner of the Adirondack Stakes has been forgotten about as of now.