Racing Dudes Divisional Rankings 7/21/20: Authentic Impresses in Haskell

Welcome to the 2020 Divisional Rankings! Each week, we rank the best thoroughbred horses in America based on their divisions. Let’s take a look at the rankings, including my last vote in the NTRA Top 10 Poll:

Overall Rankings

Here are my overall rankings as seen in the latest NTRA Top 10 Poll this week. The poll ranks the top thoroughbred horses based on if Horse of the Year voting was conducted at this very moment. Here’s what my latest Top 10 poll looked like:

1. Midnight Bisou
2. Tom’s d’Etat
3. Maximum Security 
4. Tiz the Law 
5. Zulu Alpha  
6. Vekoma
7. Rushing Fall
8. Monomoy Girl 
9. Dunbar Road 
10. Mucho Gusto     

Older Males

1. Tom’s d’Etat – His Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) win was easily the most impressive that we’ve seen all year from this division.

2.  Maximum Security – We haven’t seen him since his big Saudi Cup (G1) win, but he’s scheduled to run in this weekend’s San Diego Handicap (G2).

3. Zulu Alpha – After a brief freshening, he came back as strong as ever with an impressive victory in the Elkhorn Stakes (G2).

4. Mucho Gusto – The Pegasus World Cup (G1) was his best career race by a wide margin. 

5. Code of Honor – The Met Mile (G1) was just a bit short for him, but he didn’t embarrass himself with a third-place effort. 

Sleeper: By My Standards – He was unable to repeat his impressive Oaklawn Handicap (G2) victory when losing the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) to the division leader.

Older Females

1. Midnight Bisou – She showed her class with a complete romp in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs. 

2. Rushing Fall – She is now a Grade 1 winner at ages 2 through 5 after capturing the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1).

3. Monomoy Girl – She is now 2-for-2 on the comeback trail after easily taking home the Ruffian Stakes (G2).

4. Dunbar Road – She has looked sharp in both 2020 starts, including the Delaware Handicap (G2) last time out.

5. Ce Ce – After a tremendous effort to win the Apple Blossom Stakes (G1), she ran a disappointing third in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) last time out. 

Sleeper: Point of Honor – When she finally runs in longer races, she will be tough to hold off down the stretch. 

3-Year-Old Males

1. Tiz the Law – He left little doubt in the Belmont Stakes (G1) with a convincing 3 3/4-length victory. 

2. Honor A. P. – An impressive Santa Anita Derby (G1) triumph has him just a hair below the top spot. 

3. Authentic – It was close, but he held on to win the Haskell Stakes (G1) to secure his place in the Kentucky Derby (G1) AND Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) starting gates.

4. Art Collector – His Blue Grass Stakes (G2) victory stamped him as a prime division contender.

4. King Guillermo – He backed up his impressive Tampa Bay Derby (G2) win with a runner-up effort in the Arkansas Derby (G1). 

Sleeper: Uncle Chuck – A big win in the Los Alamitos Derby (G3) has him in the conversation as we move forward. 

3-Year-Old Females

1. Swiss Skydiver – She is still the top horse in this division after finishing a strong second against the boys in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2).

2. Gamine – Her Acorn Stakes (G1) performance was one of the best that we’ve seen in this division over the last few years. 

3. Speech – She showed up with a career-best performance to win the Ashland Stakes (G1).

4. Shedaresthedevil – This ultra-consistent filly destroyed her competition in the Indiana Oaks (G3).

5. Paris Lights – She earned a massive win at Saratoga in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

Sleeper: Tonalist’s Shape – She ran a dud in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga, but she still has a strong resume. 

Sprinters

1. Vekoma – He earned the top spot with a monster effort in the Met Mile (G1) over a tremendous field. 

2. Volatile – This may be the next superstar sprinter for Asmussen after his ultra-impressive victory in the Aristides Stakes (G3). 

3. Whitmore – He earned his spot in the rankings after an impressive Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) victory at Oaklawn Park.

4. McKinzie – His total dud in the Met Mile (G1) was unexpected, but he reportedly lost both right-side shoes, so we’ll give him a slight pass.

5. New York Central – His Saudi Cup Sprint victory was very impressive. 

Sleeper: Shancelot – It will be interesting to see if he can still be effective under new trainer Steve Asmussen.