Division Rankings: Bleecker Street has spotlight all to herself

How deep is the turf female division? Bleecker Street, a Grade 1 winner this season who is 7-for-7 in her career, isn’t even ranked No. 1 in the division. That honor goes to Regal Glory, with two Grade 1 triumphs already this season.

Remember War Like Goddess? Last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf runner-up can do no better than No. 3, and she has lost only two races from nine career starts.

The top six ranked horses in this division are Grade 1 winners.

Such is life in what I believe to be the best division in racing this season.

But this week the spotlight is solely on Bleecker Street. She will put her unbeaten record on the line in the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on Saturday. Bleecker Street’s run of wins to start her career is the most for a Grade 1-winning female since Songbird in 2016.

Before I dive deeper into my thoughts on Bleecker Street and this division, 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.

4. 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, possibly in the Shuvee (G2) on July 24.

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. She too might run in the Shuvee.

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 on July 23 could 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, 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). Back working, she will run next in the CCA Oaks (G1) on July 23, 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 a race prior could be in the cards.

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.

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 last week's 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).

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. Talk about a hot start to a career, this filly is unbeaten in seven career starts and already has won four graded stakes this year. Her last, the New York Stakes, was her first Grade 1 win. She will go for two Grade 1 wins in row this weekend in the Diana (G1) at Saratoga.

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

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.

As fans, we are drawn to horses who start their career off with a run of wins. They capture our imagination of what could be. Horse Racing Nation even has an “Undefeated Watch” on the home page to track stakes winners who start their careers without a loss.

In recent years it was Zenyatta who took us on a ride that we will never forget, an unbeaten record to start her career, running that streak to 19 before a heartbreaking loss in her career finale in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Songbird was next, starting her career off with 11 straight wins before a nose loss in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Now we have Bleecker Street. Although she has a long way to go to belong with those two aforementioned stars, Bleecker Street has put together an impressive string of wins to start her career.

A daughter of Quality Road, trainer Chad Brown originally intended to run Bleecker Street on the dirt. But after seeing that she didn’t quite like the dirt as much as he had hoped, he switched her to the turf, where she immediately showed him that the grass was her preferred surface.

Bleecker Street made her career debut a winning one at Monmouth Park last August, and she has taken a step up in class in each start this year. After a trio of wins at Tampa Bay, she shipped to Kentucky to run on the Kentucky Oaks undercard in the Modesty Stakes (G3) and passed that test with flying colors, closing into a slow pace to prevail by a half-length.

Last time out was her toughest test to date and her first start in a Grade 1. In the New York Stakes on Belmont Weekend she strolled in with her unbeaten 6-for-6 record but still wasn’t made the favorite. She proved to the few doubters left that she was indeed the real deal and a major force to be reckoned with in this division.

The Turf Female division has come up exceedingly tough in 2022. Regal Glory has been outstanding in her three starts this season, seemingly getting better in each. She will face the boys next out in the Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga. Another win there will cement her lead in this division, regardless of what the others ranked below her do.

War Like Goddess is back in training after a brief physical setback. She won her only start this season and is nearly perfect herself. She too may face the boys in her next start, the Sword Dancer (G1) in late August.

But there is something to be said about an undefeated horse – the allure of perfection is hard to ignore. Bleecker Street is quickly becoming a fan favorite with each win, and her streak will reach another level if she wins this weekend. 

The Turf Female division very well could have one of the three Horse of the Year finalists by the end of the season. That’s a bold statement for sure, as this division normally would not have a horse in that discussion. But if Bleecker Street or Regal Glory continue their winning ways, it would be hard to leave either out of that debate.