Older Males

1. Palace Malice – Injury has forced him to retire.  He’s still on top on top for now but I don’t see how he can hold on to the top spot.

2. Wise Dan – Came back running as well as ever at Saratoga.  He’s truly an amazing horse.

3. Moreno – Must prove he can do it outside of Saratoga now…if he can he has a real shot to move up the rankings

4. Itsmyluckyday – Finally broke through with a huge win in the Woodward.  He’s in great form right now.

5. Will Take Charge – Just doesn’t look quite the same as when he was at his peak last year. Still running respectable.

Sleeper: Lea – Fever has forced him to sit out even longer than expected.  Everyone is ready for his return.

Older Females

1. Close Hatches – May have cemented herself as the champion of this division.

2. Beholder – Working toward the Zenyatta Stakes and the Breeders Cup Distaff.

3. Iotapa – Back to back Grade 1 victories for this improving mare.

4. Princess of Sylmar – Clearly didn’t come back as good as her three year old season. Career in jeopardy.

5. Midnight Lucky – Freakish type sprinter may not be able to go two turns, but has ability.

Sleeper: Don’t Tell Sophia – Came back stronger than ever at Churchill Downs.

3 Year Old Males

1. California Chrome – Huge week as he returns in the Pennsylvania Derby.  Maybe the most interesting races of the year!  Speaking of Derby’s, 2015 Kentucky Derby betting is already underway!

2. Shared Belief – Best horse in the country just needs a head to head victory over Chrome to pass him.

3. Wicked Strong – Blinkers have made him a very solid horse…should have won the Travers.

4. Tonalist – Two solid efforts at Saratoga, just couldn’t get into the winners circle.

5. V. E. Day – Travers victor just finds ways to win. Can he keep it up?

Sleeper: Tapiture – He was 10 lengths the best in the West Virginia Derby, and now gets a shot against California Chrome in the Pennsylvania Derby.

3 Year Old Females

1. Untapable – Running in the Cotillion this weekend against a tough group.  Could be a real challenge.

2. Stopchargingmaria – Gets her chance to beat Untapable head to head in the Cotillion this weekend.

3. Artemis Agrotera – Freakish performance in the Ballerina!

4. Sweet Reason – Two Grade 1’s give her the edge over the others, and will now stretch out in the Cotillion against two horses ranked ahead of her.

5. Stonetastic – Starting to show her class as a sprinter now.

Sleeper:

Sprinters

1. Goldencents – Absolute super star when he gets the lead. Track record at Del Mar last time out!

2. Palace – Won both the big Saratoga sprint races of the year.  Can he take his show on the road?

3. Bayern – Going two turns once again in the Pennsylvania Derby.

4. Fed Biz – Two great performances at Del Mar have me thinking he is improving greatly and middle distances will suit him well.

5. Secret Circle – Think he’s the best of the bunch, but when will we ever see him again?

Sleeper: The Big Beast – Horse with a big time future I believe…showing versatility as well.

2 Year Old Males

1. Competitive Edge – Looks to be head and shoulders about the rest so far…can he go two turns?

2. I Spent It – Tough as nails and could improve as time goes on.  Love the seasoning he’s gotten.

3. American Pharoah – Flopped on debut but showed his true colors in the Del Mar Futurity

4. Om – Fastest horse of the group so far but has only won a maiden race.  Could easily be a flash in the pan.

5. Mr. Z – I’m not going to write him off after that bad Churchill performance.  He’ll bounce back.

Sleeper: El Kabeir – Zayat debut winner looked awfully good at Saratoga.

2 Year Old Females

1. Cavorting – Looks to be the best so far, but not a big gap between her in the rest.

2. Luminance – Thought her debut was strong, but what is up with her now?  Hasn’t had a workout in awhile.

3. Fashion Alert – Her first win was great, but her next was a little on the slow side.  Think she’s still growing up a little but the talent is there.

4. Sunset Glow – Won the two big Stakes at Del Mar so you have to respect her.

5. Cristina’s Journey – Two turn victory makes her intriguing as far as the Breeders Cup goes.

Sleeper: Take Charge Brandi – I’m probably the only one that hasn’t given up on her yet…something has gone wrong in her last two races.