Racing Dudes Divisional Rankings

Older Males

1. Wise Dan – All the big races are now over, and for the second year in a row Wise Dan looks like he’ll be Horse of the Year.

2. Mucho Macho Man – The Classic winner will have a shot at Older Male of the Year, but didn’t quite do enough to win Horse of the Year.

3. Game On Dude – Ran pretty well in the Clark…will look for another big year in 2014.

4. Cross Traffic – It’s too bad he got injured as I think he was on his way to huge things.

5. Fort Larned – What a strange year for the 2012 Classic winner.  Still ran well in this years version.

Sleeper: Declaration of War – He’s plenty good, but will we see him back in America once again?

Older Females

1. Royal Delta – She wins this by default, but the champ is probably done.  The division was a bit weak this year, but the infusion of good three-year olds will boost it next year.

2. Tiz Miz Sue – Absolutely sickening that she had to be retired.  Was running better than ever.

3. Authenticity – Solid run in the Distaff, but never really threatened to win.

4. Joyful Victory – Never was quite good enough to beat the top-notch horses, but still a solid horse.

5. On Fire Baby – Still have hopes that she’ll come back firing

Sleeper: My Miss Aurelia – Has been transferred to Todd Pletcher.  Interesting move, will it pay off?

3 Year Old Males

1. Will Take Charge – No doubt about it now!  Will Take Charge is your Three Year Old Horse of the Year.

2. Palace Malice – He sort of fell off towards the end of this season, but still was respectable.  Could be a nice colt at age four.

3. Orb – Never could recapture his Kentucky Derby form.

4. Oxbow – The injury knocked him down a little, but he had a great first half of the year.

5. Goldencents – Bounced all the way back to California in the Cigar Mile.  Still a nice prospect.

Sleeper: Normandy Invasion – Lets see if this colt comes back running at age 4…

3 Year Old Females

1. Beholder – She won the Distaff which evened the score with Princess of Sylmar

2. Princess of Sylmar – Absolutely hate ranking her second, but I think you have to do so.

3. Close Hatches – Her late season heroics are enough to move her up the third.

4.  Midnight Lucky – Unfortunately she will miss the rest of the year, which will cause her to drop some.

5. Fiftyshadesofhay – Respectable horse, but a cut below this groups best.

Sleeper: Dreaming of Julia – What ever happened to her??

Sprinters

1. Secret Circle – Super impressive in his huge comeback!  Tops a weak division.

2.  Groupie Doll – Pretty nice effort in the Cigar Mile even though she finished fourth.  Would have ranked first if she had one.

3.  Justin Phillip – Was nothing but solid this year.  The old pro retires with nothing to be ashamed about.

4. Points Offthebench – Such a sad story, but he was so good this year.

5. Gentleman’s Bet – Ran hard in every race, and always finished respectable.

Sleeper: Sahara Sky – Looked to be a monster before the injury.

2 Year Old Males

1. New Year’s Day – I wasn’t blown away by anyone over the weekend, so I think New Year’s Day has the top spot for now.

2. Havana – Thought he was best in the Juvenile.

3. Honor Code – With the terribly slow pace it was hard to tell much from the Remsen.  Did enough to warrant respect, but not the top spot.

4. Strong Mandate – Tough post killed him in the Juvenile.  Will freshen up for a big three-year old campaign at Oaklawn.

5. Cairo Prince – Definitely thought he had the Remsen won, but was out-gamed by Honor Code.

Sleeper: Gold Hawk – Was really impressed with this one’s debut!  Could be an up and coming star.

2 Year Old Females

1. She’s A Tiger – Think she’s distance challenged, but has accomplished a lot.

2. Sweet Reason – Always seems to have an excuse, but has been right there in every race.

3. Ria Antonia – Not sold on her yet, needed a DQ to win the Juvenile fillies.

4. Rosalind – Thought she was best in the Juvenile Fillies…

5. Stopchargingmaria – Wins yet again!  Even though nobody has been overly impressed by her, wins are all that matters.

Sleeper: Unbridled Forever – I’ll buy the hype for now…