Division Rankings: 3-year-old males are back in the spotlight

Summer is heating up and we are finally over our post-Belmont hangover. The 3-year-old males are back in the spotlight for the always much anticipated Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park.

This year’s Haskell renewal is an interesting one in that it features none of the horses who placed in the three Triple Crown events, something that hasn’t happened since Paynter’s win in 2012. The headliners this year are unbeaten Jack Christopher (ranked No. 6) who will try two turns for the first time, and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Taiba (ranked No. 9), making just his fourth career start.

Before I dive into my Haskell thoughts, let's take a look at this week's Division Rankings.

Older dirt males

1. Olympiad. He validated his No. 1 ranking with his best performance yet this season in the Stephen Foster (G2), a facile 2 1/4-length win over Americanrevolution. This guy is now 5-for-5 this season, and four of those wins came in graded stakes. His resume is deep, and his body of work in the first half of 2022 is by far the best in this division. Next up is an Eclipse semifinal of sorts, a clash with the No. 2-ranked Life is Good in the Whitney (G1).

2. Life Is Good. Returned better than ever in the Nerud Stakes (G2) in his last start, posting a dominant five-length win. He will have an opportunity to get back to the top of this division if he can defeat Olympiad next out in the Whitney; the Pegasus (G1) winner from earlier this year has been dominant at anything under 10 furlongs.

3. Flightline. His Met Mile (G1) win was good, overcoming trouble and answering several questions such as shipping across the country and the added distance. He still has questions, and the field he beat was not what I would consider good. But here he sits near the top – mainly because the horses I feel will be better at the 10-furlong distance required to win an Eclipse in this division still haven't run much in this country in 2022. With only one start on the season, he needs to do more to unseat Olympiad. He now will sit for another three months and return in the 10-furlong Pacific Classic (G1) on Sept. 3.

4. Country Grammer. Sensational in both of his starts overseas, he was a facile winner of the Dubai World Cup (G1). Before that, he was a close runner-up in the Saudi Cup (G1), his first start in nine months. The hope is to bring him back for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar late this summer. Still, he hasn't run in this country yet this season, and that matters. Will run next in the San Diego (G2) on July 30 at Del Mar. Needs to win in this country.

5. Express Train. Ran one of his best career races in the Californian (G2), but he was beaten by Stilleto Boy. If anything, he gained more respect from me with that effort. Now 2-for-3 on the season, he is in the best form of his career. He too will likely run in the San Diego.

Next 5: Hot Rod Charlie, Happy Saver, Speaker's Corner, Americanrevolution, Dynamic One.

Older dirt females

1. Clairiere. Moves to the top based on her win last out in the Ogden Phipps (G1) over several ranked below. Previously she ran very well when runner-up to Letruska in the Apple Blossom (G1). Will run next at Saratoga in the Shuvee (G2) this weekend.

2. Malathaat. Has only a Grade 3 win on the season but she ran a big race in the Phipps, narrowly losing to her rival Clairiere. Will be part of the Shuvee as well this weekend.

3. Letruska. She was part of that hot pace in the Phipps, but so was Search Results and she finished third. She wasn't pushed at all in the stretch, and the result was disappointing. She has shown the ability to rate before, so I am not sure why that tactic has not been used, given the pace scenarios she has had in two of her last four starts. Still here near the top of this division, but is too one-dimensional right now. She won't run again until the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27.

4. Search Results. Considering the early fractions this gal set, she ran an outstanding race in the Phipps when finishing third. It's not a stretch to write that she might have run the best race of them all. The Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth this weekend will be next.

5. Shedaresthedevil. Scored her first win in three starts in 2022 last time out in the Fleur De Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs. Before her win she was somewhat disappointing when runner-up to Pauline's Pearl in the La Troienne (G1) at Churchill and a third place finish to Ce Ce in the Azeri (G2) at Oaklawn. Could see her at Saratoga for her next start.

Next 5: Private Mission, Pauline's Pearl, Blue Stripe, Super Quick, Bonny South.

3-year-old males

1. Epicenter. He was the 17th horse to finish second in the first two legs of the Triple Crown since 1937, and he stays here at No. 1 despite those runner-up efforts. Still feel he is best in this division after having questionable trips in those runner-up efforts. Is penciled in for the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga on July 30 for his next start.
2. Mo Donegal. Was superb in the Belmont as the facile winner, but that could be his final career race as he is now on the sidelines with bone bruising. The Belmont wasn't the strongest of fields, but a win is a win. He moves ahead of the Preakness winner, whom he already defeated this season in the Wood Memorial (G2). Will drop from this spot in the coming weeks.
3. Early Voting. Certainly looked good winning the Preakness with a perfect trip, but he loses points in these rankings for skipping the Kentucky Derby after having been runner-up in the Wood to Mo Donegal. Others will have him ranked higher, but he won't be ranked higher than No. 4 here. Likely will run in the Haskell (G1) on July 23, with the Jim Dandy (G2), run a week later, in play as a backup plan.
4. Zandon. The Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner ran very well in the Kentucky Derby, where he made a nice run from the back of the pack, but he did hang a bit in the stretch to finish third. Will run next in the Jim Dandy.
5. Rich Strike. His win in the Kentucky Derby was the biggest upset I have ever seen at any level in this sport. Horses mature at different times and some more rapidly than others. The Kentucky Derby was his first start on dirt this season, and his Belmont run last time out was dull when he finished sixth, beaten 14 lengths. Still, I think this guy will make his presence known and is still in with an Eclipse chance in this division. Back working now, he will train up to the Travers (G1), his next start.
Next 5: Jack Christopher, Tawny Port, White Abarrio, Taiba, Charge it.
3-year-old females

1. Secret Oath. Ran her race in the Preakness but was only fourth best. In her prior start she was certainly was much the best in the Kentucky Oaks, coming with a powerful run to circle horses on the turn. Before that she was third against the boys in the Arkansas Derby (G1). She goes next in the CCA Oaks (G1) this weekend, where she will be back against her fellow females. Is unbeaten in her division this season.
2. Nest. Ran well when runner-up to Mo Donegal in the Belmont, but I'm not sure what that means, given the horses finishing behind her had been 2-for-15 in graded-stakes attempts. A clear second in this division now, though. The Alabama (G1) on Aug. 20 is her next major goal, but she faces Secret Oath first in the CCA Oaks (G1) this weekend.

3. Echo Zulu. Was a gate scratch in the Acorn (G1) last time out and has since been found to have a strain in a left front suspensory. She previously had gained much respect with her solid run in the Kentucky Oaks, where she conceded the early lead to a long shot while attending solid early fractions only to begrudgingly give way at the end to finish fourth, beaten a length for the runner-up spot. On the shelf for now.
4. Kathleen O. Suffered her first loss when fifth in the Kentucky Oaks, but she hardly disgraced herself. She was beaten only fourth lengths for all the marbles. She's been given a freshening and will return for a fall campaign.
5. Matareya. Four wins in four starts this season, three of which were graded. She was an easy winner of the Acorn last time out, but it was missing the favorite, Echo Zulu, who was a gate scratch. Will run next in the Test (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 6.

Next 5: Interstatedaydream, Under the Stars, Desert Dawn, Eda, Gerrymander.

Turf males

1. Count Again. This guy has racked up two Grade 1 wins already this season and is 3-for-4 on the year. His win over Smooth Like Strait in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) was his best effort yet. The only member of this division who has multiple Grade 1 wins on the season thus far. The Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar on July 31 has been mentioned as his next start.

2. Gufo. Started his 2022 season off right with a facile two-length win in the Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream but then finished runner-up in the Man O' War Stakes (G1) and third in the Manhattan (G1), both at Belmont Park. Will run this weekend in the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park.

3. Colonel Liam. He found the waters a bit too deep in the Dubai Turf (G1), where he finished ninth. Previously he ran huge in defending his Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and seemed better than ever despite his long layoff. There is a wide gap between grass horses in this country and overseas – and not for the better. Hasn't had a work in awhile and will continue to drop in the coming weeks.

4. Yibir. Finally got back into the win column in the Princess of Wales's Close Brothers Stakes (G2) at Newmarket. Last year's Breeders' Cup Turf winner had two seconds and a third in his previous starts this season and will be back stateside for his next start, the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27.

5. Golden Pal. The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner from last season ran at Royal Ascot last time out and was slow to break. But let's be clear, he was well beaten and wasn't going to win even with a clean break. A disappointing effort. Before that effort he was dominant in his 2022 debut at Keeneland, a win in the Shakertown (G2). Will run next in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga on Aug. 5.

Next 5: Smooth Like Strait, Adhamo, Santin, Tribhuvan, Highland Chief.

Turf females

1. Regal Glory. Outstanding again in another Grade 1 event, this time in the Just a Game at Belmont on Belmont Stakes day. She started her season off with a win in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3) and then won the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland over a strong field. Now 3-for-3 on the season, she will take on the boys in her next start, the Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 13.

2. Bleecker Street. Suffered the first loss of her career last weekend in the Diana (G1) after starting her career 7-for-7. She put in her run from the back but had too much to do when finishing third. Still, I won't drop her off because that one loss. She built up a lot of equity and will get another shot soon to be back in the winners circle.

3. War Like Goddess. Won her 2022 debut impressively, picking off horses to win by open lengths in the Bewitch Stakes (G3). Kept out of the recent New York Stakes (G1) at Belmont because of a minor physical problem, look for this gal to return at Saratoga, where she could run against males in the Sword Dancer (G1), a 1 1/2-mile race on Aug. 27.

4. Ocean Road. Won her first graded stakes in her last start, a win in the Gamely (G1) over Going Global at Santa Anita. She is now 2-for-2 on the season.

5. Going Global. Had no excuses last time out when third to Ocean Road in the Gamely (G1) at Santa Anita. But since that was her first loss in a grass race since last July, she stays here in the top five. Previously she made her 2022 debut with a win in the Royal Heroine (G2) at Santa Anita. Will run next in the Yellow Ribbon (G2) on Aug. 13 at Del Mar.

Next 5: In Italian, Shantisara, Technical Analysis, Wakanaka, Going to Vegas.

Male sprinters

1. Jackie's Warrior. Seems to be better now than ever before. His win in the True North (G2) last out was as easy as it gets. The Eclipse winner from last season was dominant in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) previously, where he defeated several ranked below. Before that he made short work of the Count Fleet Sprint (G3) at Oaklawn. Now 3-for-3 on the season, he will head to Saratoga for his next two starts, the Vanderbilt (G1) on July 30 and the Forego (G1) on Aug. 27.

2. Speaker's Corner. He was soundly beaten by Life is Good last time out in the Nerud (G2), and that comes on this heels of his defeat at the hands of Flightline in the Met Mile (G1) when third. Prior to those races he was 3-for-3 on the season, with the Carter (G1) as his lone Grade 1 triumph. Still a player in this division but needs to get back in the win column.

3. Jack Christopher. This guy is only 3, but he deserves to be ranked here based off his sprint wins. He will stretch out for his next start in the Haskell, but don't be surprised to see him back sprinting after his first two-turn attempt. Could be a real player in this division before all is said and done.

4. Reinvestment Risk. Runner-up to Jackie's Warrior three times in his career, the latest being the Churchill Downs Stakes last time out. Before that he was runner-up to Speaker's Corner in the Carter at Aqueduct.

5. Golden Pal. Could contend for this Eclipse if he can right this ship after the Royal Ascot fiasco, but I doubt we see him run more than two more times this season.

Next 5: Aloha West, Dr. Schivel, Cezanne, Brickyard Ride, American Theorem.

Female sprinters

1. Obligatory. I am still keeping this gal on top after her stronger-than-it-looked runner-up effort to Bella Sofia last out in the Bed o' Roses (G2). That was a four-horse field with little pace. As a horse who likes to come off the pace, she was compromised. But in bigger races later this season there won't be four-horse fields with that pace scenario. Previously, she beat the best in this division except for Ce Ce in the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs with a strong closing kick.

2. Ce Ce. Last season's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner was back on her game last out as she sprinted her way to a dominant win in the Princess Rooney (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Likely done with two-turn races now, she will get two more races before an expected defense of her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint title.

3. Just One Time. The beaten favorite in the Derby City, she finished third with no excuses. Previously this season she won the Madison (G1) at Keeneland and the Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream.

4. Bella Sofia. Won the Bed o' Roses last time out going wire to wire. Before that she made her first start of the year in the Vagrancy (G3) a winning one.

5. Edgeway. Ran the worst race of her 12-race career last out in the Derby City Distaff, finishing sixth, beaten move than seven lengths. Before that she won the Las Flores (G3) at Santa Anita.

Next 5: Lady Rocket, Sconsin, Bell's the One, Becca Taylor, Four Graces.

With no 3-year-old males asserting themselves as the clear leader of the division in the first half of the season, fans and media alike have debated which member of the division is most likely to shine in the second half of the season. There are several to choose from, but many have chosen a horse who still has major questions to answer, Jack Christopher.

This son of Munnings has been spectacular thus far in his career, winning both of his starts at age 2 with quick speed figures and looking even better now at age 3 in both of his starts at one mile and seven furlongs. Now comes the two-turn Haskell at nine furlongs. Can Jack Christopher show the same brilliance around two turns and a longer distance?

Sired by Munnings, Jack Christopher reminds me very much of his sire, who was distanced challenged. Munnings also went into the Haskell with a bit of hype but found the nine furlongs too much. Regardless, Jack Christopher is in with a big chance this weekend, and part of that reason is the field. If we are being honest, it came up somewhat disappointing – by Haskell standards.

Zandon, Early Voting and Epicenter all will run next week in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga. The biggest threat to Jack Christopher is Taiba, who has several questions to answer as well.

In winning the Santa Anita Derby in only his second career start, Taiba stunned many racing observers. His Kentucky Derby 12th-place finish wasn’t all that bad, considering he was close to that record pace and it was only his third career start. Trained by Bob Baffert, Taiba certainly will be supported at the windows. But can he really ship cross country without a race since early May and run down Jack Christopher?

As far as these rankings are concerned, I think it’s safe to write that if Jack Christopher wins impressively on Saturday, he will rocket to the No. 1 spot. If Taiba comes out on top, he most certainly will move near the top as well.

What about White Abarrio? The Florida Derby (G1) winner didn’t fire in the Kentucky Derby but ran well a few weeks ago in the Ohio Derby (G3). If Jack Christopher finds the nine furlongs too much and Taiba doesn’t fire, White Abarrio can most certainly pick off the pieces and find his way into the winner's circle.