Racing Dudes Divisional Rankings 7/27/16

Older Males

1. California Chrome – Quite a duel with Dortmund, but he knew where the wire was in another huge effort in the San Diego Handicap. Up next…the Pacific Classic!

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 – Looks like he’s pointing for Saratoga for his next race, and have also heard some of the top horses in the turf division may be trying to dodge him. Don’t blame them…

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: Dortmund– If he can repeat his San Diego effort he will quickly rise towards the top of these rankings. Also he must stay healthy which has been a problem.

Older Females

1. Tepin – Settling in at Saratoga where she’ll point towards the Fourstardave on August 13th against the boys.

2. Beholder – Returns this weekend at Del Mar as she’ll match up once again with Stellar Wind. Then it’s hopefully on to the Pacific Classic.

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. We’ll see her next at Saratoga in the Personal Ensign.

Sleeper: Stellar Wind – Gearing up for another showdown with Beholder…will be up against it yet again.

3 Year Old Males

1. Nyquist – The Kentucky Derby winner returns this week in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational against an improving Gun Runner as well as a cast of others.

2. Exaggerator – Will most likely skip the Jim Dandy after a poor workout at Saratoga. Something could be up…

3. Creator– Looking as though he’s in good shape heading into the Jim Dandy Stakes in this week 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 – Will try to turn the tables this weekend on Nyquist in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational.

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. Songbird– Just a fantastic effort in the Coaching Club American Oaks which puts her back in the top spot. Staying in Saratoga and pointing towards the Alabama next as she looks to add to her resume.

2. Catch a Glimpse – My apologizes to her as I think she’s AWESOME, but Songbird is the boss again after her Saratoga romp.

3. Cathryn Sophia – Needs to rebound from her poor Acorn effort and get back to rolling soon. There are quality fillies behind her at the moment.

4. Carina Mia – Deserves a lot of credit for trying to take on Songbird, but was just simply second best in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

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.