Racing Dudes Divisional Rankings 7/19/16

Older Males

1. California Chrome – He’s back this weekend in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap. His workout over the weekend at Del Mar was awesome…ready to roll!

2. Frosted – Gearing up for the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap in a few at weeks at Saratoga. Will try to follow up that huge Met Mile effort.

3. Flintshire – Told myself I wouldn’t move him up too much just yet, but he’s simply better than those ranked below him right 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. Effinex – His Suburban Handicap performance wasn’t good enough for him to pass anyone ahead of him in the rankings, but it was a great sign that he’s back on track after a poor Churchill Downs effort.
Sleeper: Bradester – Was mainly a Monmouth Park beast, but took his show on the road with a wire to wire win in the Stephen Foster.

Older Females

1. Tepin – FREAK OF NATURE!!! WOW what a win at Royal Ascot! Would get my vote for Horse of the Year if the award was given today…and its not close! Now pointing towards the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga.

2. Beholder – Had a solid Del Mar workout on Sunday as she prepares for the Pacific Classic and a showdown against California Chrome.

3. Cavorting – Impressive win in the Ogden Phipps over several of her rivals that were ranked ahead of her. Running better than ever.

4. I’m a Chatterbox – It was not without controversy, but she did prevail in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap. Looks to be back in form and could point towards Saratoga now.

5. Forever Unbridled – Ran second in the Ogden Phipps after two solid wins to kick off her year. Have to start giving her some respect now.

Sleeper: Stellar Wind – Seems like she’s gone missing again as there hasn’t been much talk about her after that solid Vanity Mile effort.

3 Year Old Males

1. Nyquist – Two weeks away from his return in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. Can’t wait to see how he comes back after getting beat for the first time in the Preakness Stakes.

2. Exaggerator – Perhaps the Triple Crown grind got to him as he was a no-show in the Belmont Stakes. Still has a big chance to become the top horse in this division if he can have a big summer.

3. Creator– Looking as though he’s in good shape heading into the Jim Dandy Stakes in two weeks at Saratoga. Needs to keep winning to move up the rankings, and can climb all the way to number one if he can sweep the two big Saratoga races.

4. Gun Runner – His next race in the Haskell Invitational just got a lot tougher with the addition of Nyquist, but he can turn the tables with a big effort.

5. Mohaymen – Pointing towards the Jim Dandy Stakes which could be a launching point to a big summer campaign.

Sleeper: Mo Tom– That’s more like it! Javier Castellano gave him a clean trip in the Ohio Derby, and he showed he’s a nice horse. Heads to the Haskell Invitational now.

3 Year Old Females

1. Catch a Glimpse – Although Songbird will certainly have a chance pass her back this week as for now Catch a Glimpse has EARNED this spot. Simply incredible in winning the Belmont Oaks over the weekend.

2. Songbird – This weekend is the BIG one for Songbird…goes each to face Carina Mia and others in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks.

3. Cathryn Sophia – Her Kentucky Oaks win keeps her ranked second even after a poor showing in the Acorn Stakes. Will have to rebound or will get passed by some up and comers in this division.

4. Carina Mia – Has been confirmed that she is pointing toward the Coaching Club American Oaks for a show down with Songbird. A win in that race could vault her to the top of the division.

5. Go Maggie Go – Perhaps she was due to bounce a little bit off two back to back big efforts. Will give her a pass for now.

Sleeper: Off The Tracks – Hard to rank her just yet, but she’s been really great in her last two races.

Sprinters

1. Lord Nelson – Moves to number one by default…not exactly the strongest of sprint horses to ever be ranked this high. This division is so wide open.

2. X Y Jet – Running unreal to start the year, and almost got it done in Dubai. Is still hurt, but who is moving ahead of him as of now? Nobody in stepping up in this division.

3. 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.

4. Private Zone – Was so bad in the Belmont Sprint Championship…surely he’ll rebound off that effort.

5. Wild Dude – He’s just awesome. Back to his winning ways at Santa Anita once again.

Sleeper: Subtle Indian – Really nice effort in the Triple Bend shows me he’s for real in this division. At six furlongs he should be super tough to beat.