Racing Dudes Divisional Rankings 8/4/21: 3-Year-Olds Dominate Sprint Division

Welcome to the 2021 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 latest 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. Domestic Spending 
2. Silver State
3. Letruksa
4. Essential Quality
5. Maxfield
6. Knicks Go
7. Jackie’s Warrior
8. Hot Rod Charlie
9. Mandaloun
10. Mystic Guide

Older Males

1. Domestic Spending – There is no doubt he’s the best turf horse we have on this side of the pond. He should be ultra-tough to beat leading up to the Breeders’ Cup.

2. Silver State – All he does is win! His Met Mile (G1) triumph was his sixth straight victory. We’ll see him this weekend in the Whitney Stakes (G1).

3. Maxfield – You know this division is tough when Maxfield is ranked third. He looked great in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2). He runs this weekend in the Whitney Stakes (G1).

4. Knicks Go – He’s back in a big way after a blowout win in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3). If he can repeat that effort this weekend in the Whitney Stakes (G1), then he’ll be right back up to #1 in the division.

5. Mystic Guide – He stubbed his toe in the Suburban Handicap (G2), and now he’s out for the year after having surgery to remove a bone chip. We won’t know for a while if he’ll ever return to racing or simply retire.

Sleeper: Tizamagician – With all the injuries forcing horses dropping out of the Pacific Classic (G1), why can’t he win that race and become a player in this division?

Older Females

1. Letruska – Wow, she was fantastic once again in her Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) romp. She is clearly the top horse in this division.

2. Monomoy Girl – She lost nothing in defeat; however, she is currently at the farm with some muscle soreness. When will she be back?

3. Shedaresthedevil – She went out west and took home the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.

4. Swiss Skydiver – She’ll take on the boys in the Whitney Stakes (G1) next at Saratoga.

5. Gamine – Baffert’s sensational sprinter is back into the rankings as she points to the Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

Sleeper: Bell’s the One – This horse just keeps getting better, with her latest victory coming in the Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

3-Year-Old Males

1. Essential Quality – Despite a wide trip, he still was able to win the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), which should be a useful prep for the Travers Stakes (G1)

2. Jackie’s Warrior – He might be the best sprinter in the country after his ultra-impressive Amsterdam Stakes (G2) victory.

3. Hot Rod Charlie – This horse can’t seem to catch a break. He ran way too well to end up being disqualified in the Haskell Stakes (G1) and is now skipping the Pacific Classic (G1). Hopefully his season isn’t over yet.

4. Mandaloun – This might be the luckiest horse in the world. He was named the winner of the Haskell Stakes (G1), plus he’ll be named the winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) someday…maybe…right?

5. Rombauer – The Preakness Stakes (G1) winner backed up that big effort with a solid third in the Belmont Stakes (G1). However, he’s now off for the rest of the year.

Sleeper: Midnight Bourbon – Draw a line through his Haskell Stakes (G1) effort after clipping heels with Hot Rod Charlie, but he’s still maybe just a cut below the best.

3-Year-Old Females

1. Malathaat – She suffered her first defeat in the Coaching Club America Oaks (G1) but still is on top of this division for now.

2. Search Results – Her Acorn Stakes (G1) victory was very impressive. Can she turn the tables on Malathaat?

3. Maracuja – Her Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) victory puts her in the mix in this division.

4. Obligatory – Her runner-up Acorn Stakes (G1) performance proved her last win was no fluke.

5. Zaajel – She showed new life with her very impressive Mother Goose Stakes (G2) win at Belmont Park.

Sleeper: Clairiere – She’s simply not as good as the top horses in this division; however, she shows up and tries every time.

Sprinters

1. Jackie’s Warrior – They’ll be hard-pressed to beat him anywhere, anytime if he repeats his monster Amsterdam Stakes (G2) performance.

2. C Z Rocket – Even though he’s lost 2 in a row, he still has an impressive resume and has shown consistency.

3. Dr. Schivel – This horse keeps improving with each race, taking home the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar in his last start.

4. Flagstaff – He ran well once again in the True North Stakes (G2), finishing second to Firenze Fire.

5. Whitmore – He’s failed to win this season; however, he has been very consistent.

Sleeper: Yaupon – He returned to the races with a big win at Pimlico that should lead to a start against tougher next time out.

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