Division rankings: Elite Power proves his talent in latest win

In the last edition of these Division Rankings, I wrote about the male sprint division. I wrote that the division in 2023 would take on a whole new look with the retirement of Jackie’s Warrior coupled with the expected leaders of the division, Elite Power and Gunite, overseas in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

After watching Elite Power destroy a very good international field in last week’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) over the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt in Saudi Arabia, I need to recalibrate my sprint-division expectations. I also need to apologize to Elite Power to some degree.

But before I explain why, let's take a look at this week's updated Division Rankings.

Older dirt males

1. Art Collector. Big winner of the Pegasus World Cup (G1), he is age 6 now and looks to be in career form. Has quietly put together a nice record of 11 wins from 21 starts. Connections may not ship him overseas for the Dubai World Cup (G1). Let's hope they don't because that would be good news for his fans as he can stay stateside and build an Eclipse-worthy resume. Since he has won a Grade 1 event already this season, he resides on top for now.

2. Country Grammer. The Dubai World Cup winner from last season started 2023 much the same as as 2022, a close runner-up in the Saudi Cup last week. One thing's for sure, this guy likes running in the desert. Should appear next in the Dubai World Cup in late March.

3. Cody's Wish. Came on late at the end of last season, winning the Forego (G1) at Saratoga and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by a nose over Cyberknife. He has won four in a row.

4. Taiba. Disappointed in the desert when finishing off the board as the favorite in the Saudi Cup. Previous to that he scored a facile win sprinting in the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita. 5. Defunded. Winner of graded stakes in two of his last three starts, he was runner-up to Art Collector in the Pegasus. Will run in this weekend's Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and should be the favorite.
Next 5: Zandon, Rich Strike, Charge It, Stilleto Boy, Proxy.

Older dirt females

1. Clairiere. She was third in that Breeders' Cup Distaff blanket finish, losing by two noses. Back in training, she will run in the coming weeks. Remember, this gal led this division most of last summer.

2. Nest. Overmatched in the Breeders' Cup Distaff when off the board, finishing fourth. But she won a trio of Grade 1 events in 2022 and was crowned with the Eclipse as the top 3-year-old filly.

3. Search Results. Well beaten in the Breeder's Cup Distaff, she still had a great season, placing in all of her starts but one.

4. Secret Oath. Looked good turning for home in the Breeders' Cup Distaff but ran out of gas to finish fifth, beaten more than five lengths for the win. Back in training and will run at Oaklawn in the Azeri (G2) on March 11.
5. Echo Zulu. Very good runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint after only one race to prepare since May. I am really looking forward to seeing this gal try two turns again. I hope they give her a chance. Next 5: Society, Pauline's Pearl, Matareya, Classy Edition, Midnight Memories.
3-year-old males

1. Forte. Will make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut thuis weekend at Gulfstream in the Fountain of Youth (G1). Nothing is guaranteed as far as 2-year-old form progressing to age 3. It will be interesting to see how he runs. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner from last year already has three Grade 1 wins in his short career.
2. Cave Rock. Really no excuses when runner-up to Forte but still had a great campaign. Before the Breeders' Cup, he won by more than five in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita. Sort of forgotten right now but back working. 3. Arabian Knight. He was dominant last out in the slop at Oaklawn to win the Southwest (G3). No word on his next start, but likely the Arkansas Derby (G1). Missed his last workout and hasn't been seen on the work tab for 17 days.

4. Blazing Sevens. Fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he finished third in the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga and then won the Champagne (G1) over a sloppy track. He too returns in the Fountain of Youth. 5. Loggins. Close runner-up to Forte in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) in only his second start. This guy was flattered by that Breeders' Cup result. Back in light training, this guy is off the Kentucky Derby trail and likely will drop in the coming weeks.
Next 7: National Treasure, Newgate, Instant Coffee, Practical Move, Confidence Game, Red Route One, Hejazi.

3-year-old females

1. Wonder Wheel. Made her 3-year-old debut in Tampa Bay in the listed Suncoast Stakes and didn't run poorly when finishing a close runner-up to 38-1 long-shot winner Dreaming of Snow. Still, the result was disappointing no matter how you slice it. Super impressive last season at age 2, capping off her championship season in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies after closing strong to win going away.
2. Leave No Trace. She validated her high ranking in these parts with her runner-up finish to Wonder Wheel at 25-1. Won the Spinaway (G1) in September. Will start her season this weekend in the Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream, where an impressive win would move her to the top spot. 3. Pretty Mischievous. This filly was super impressive in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and has now won four of her five career starts. Has taken a major step forward from age 2 to age 3. 4. Faiza. Unbeaten in three career starts, she won her 3-year-old debut in the Las Virgenes (G3) at Santa Anita. 5. Hoosier Philly. Considering the expectations, her third-place finish in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) was a huge disappointment. It wasn't like it was close either; she was beaten over eight lengths. Now that the silly Kentucky Derby talk has been put aside, the connections can try to get her to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a fighting chance. Next 5: Wet Paint, Red Carpet Ready, The Aly's Look, And Tell Me Nolies, Pride of the Nile.

Turf males

1. Atone. The Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) winner is good enough to vault all the way to this spot for now.

2. Ivar. Ran well last year but has only one win to show for it. Was runner-up to Atone in the Pegasus World Cup Turf.

3. Casa Creed. This guy is now a 7-year-old but he is in the best form of his career. He ran lights out when narrowly missing overseas in Saudi Arabia in the Turf Sprint (G3) and finishing second. The Saudi race was his first start this season.

4. Hong Kong Harry. Was 5-for-6 last season with three graded-stakes wins. Figures to contend in this division in 2023 and will run next in the Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita this weekend. Could take over the top spot with a win.

5. Santin. Won two Grade 1 races in 2022, and that's good enough to place him here for now.

Next 5: Count Again, Annapolis, Shirl's Speight, Highland Chief, Beyond Brilliant.

Turf females

1. War Like Goddess. Robbed of an Eclipse in 2021, she came very close in 2022 again but Regal Glory was the deserved winner. Back again in 2023, could the third time be the charm? An Eclipse contender again.

2. In Italian. Ran well when runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Before that effort, she scored her second Grade 1 win in a row in the First Lady at Keeneland. Working steadily now for a return.

3. Bleecker Street. Suffered the first loss of her career last time out in the Diana (G1) last summer after starting her career 7-for-7. She put in her run from the back but had too much to do when finishing third. Back in training now and eying a spring comeback.

4. Queen Goddess. The Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3) winner looks to be a serious contender this year in this division. She has won four graded stakes.

5. Lady Speightspeare. Ran against the boys in the Pegasus World Cup Turf and finished fourth. Prior to that she was third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Next 5: Spendarella, Caravel, Shantisara, Gina Romantica, McKulick.

Male sprinters

1. Elite Power. Certainly showed he is the best in the world now on the dirt sprinting. Overpowered the Riyadh Dirt Sprint field. Let's hope he comes back to the states to run in major races and build a nice Eclipse-worthy resume.

2. Cody's Wish. Came on late at the end of last season, winning the Forego at Saratoga and narrowly winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by a nose over Cyberknife.

3. Gunite. Was simply the best of the rest when runner-up to Elite Power in Saudi Arabia. Previously he was a superb winner of his first 2023 start, the King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn.

4. American Theorem. Off the board in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, but he was very good out west in 2022.

5. Repo Rocks. Has won both of his 2023 starts, the Toboggan (G3) and the Stymie, a listed stakes, both at Aqueduct.

Next 5: Laurel River, C Z Rocket, Sibelius, Following Sea, Endorsed.

Elite Power

As I mentioned above, in the last edition of these rankings titled “Male sprint category is up for grabs,” I was sort of hard on Elite Power.

You see, I am old school. And when Elite Power was awarded the Eclipse as last season's top sprinter off of only two stakes wins, all coming in what was basically the last 30 days of the relevant racing season, that set me off.

Obviously I didn’t vote for Elite Power. I voted for Jackie’s Warrior because he had a full 2022 resume. While Elite Power was trying to break his maiden and winning allowance races, Jackie’s Warrior was winning Grade 1 and Grade 2 races. So while I don’t apologize for my vote and would never take it back, I do want to take back a few of the comments I made regarding Elite Power.

Some horses take more time than others to reach their full potential, as we all know. And the Elite Power we saw last week was leaps and bounds better than any Elite Power we saw in 2022. He ran by far the fastest race speed figure-wise he has ever run last week and certainly showed me is indeed not the horse I thought he was.

What did I think he was? For starters, I didn’t think he could beat Gunite, who had run multiple races much faster speed figure-wise than Elite Power had ever run. But now we get back to the matter of some horses needing more time to reach their full potential. So I apologize to Elite Power for calling him a ”placeholder” at the top of this division. He shut me up there. He is the firm No. 1.

Elite Power has taken it to the next level. My hope is his connections make sure to get him at least four starts in this country this season after what I expect will be a next start in the Dubai in the Golden Shaheen Sprint (G1). Yes I know, his connections state he will be given a break (didn’t he just have a three-month break?) and skip Dubai, but let’s see how this plays out.

So here we are. Elite Power is now the sprinter who could piece together an impressive early- and mid-season resume. I hope for Elite Power’s sake that all of this early-season work isn’t forgotten later on if another sprinter comes along the last month of the season and snags a couple of stakes wins – and the Eclipse.