Division Rankings: Ce Ce’s now an Eclipse Awards player

Although Midnight Bisou's stirring runner-up against the boys in the Saudi Cup has garnered the most attention in the Older Dirt Female division this season, it was just a matter of time before another filly or mare served notice that it won't be a one-horse race.

After last weekend's Apple Blossom (G1) victory, Ce Ce appears to be that horse.

In a season of uncertainty where no one knows where many of these stars will be running this summer, winning races now is imperative in the championship picture.

Already, Ce Ce is 3-for-3 in 2020 and the first horse regardless of division to win a pair of Grade 1 events having entered the Apple Blossom off a score in Santa Anita Park's Beholder Mile (G1). Those results are enough to put her at No. 2 on my list behind Midnight Bisou.

Quite frankly, I gave consideration to ranking Ce Ce at No. 1. As controversial as that may be, remember, these rankings are based on the current racing season, not what a horse has done in the past.

While Midnight Bisou remains on her way back from the Saudi Cup trip, her lone start of the year, Ce Ce has padded her resume. This matters, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic limiting opportunities. Is there a path to Midnight Bisou even running more than three to four times in 2020?

Ce Ce is a classic case of a nice 3-year-old maturing into better 4-year-old. She ran fourth in Guarana's coming out party, 2019's Acorn Stakes (G1) on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Prior to that, she broke her maiden and finished second in allowance optional claiming company at Santa Anita.

Off since that Acorn start last June due to injury, Ce Ce resurfaced in February and dominated an optional claiming field. From there, trainer Michael McCarthy sent the daughter of Elusive Quality up to Grade 1 company again.

In the Beholder Mile, Ce Ce glided past favored Hard Not to Love. And in the Apple Blossom, she stretched out 1/16 of a mile farther from the outside post and just got up to edge out fellow California shipper Ollie's Candy, who broke from the rail in what was easily the best bunch of older dirt females assembled since last November's Breeders' Cup Distaff.

So, what's next for Ce Ce? The connections can't quite be sure, but they'll surely circle Del Mar's Clement L. Hirsch (G1). Ce Ce was bred and is owned by Hirsch's son, Bo, and the race makes for a natural prep for the Breeders' Cup, which McCarthy said he's circled as her goal.

With that, a look at this week's Division Rankings... 

Older Dirt Males

1.  Maximum Security - Unless he fails some sort of post-race blood test, he deserves this No. 1 spot. To be fair, whatever tests they do run, I would hope they perform on all samples from Saudi Cup contenders as prize money is withheld. Racing could stand to see this guy come back and to come back a winner.

2.  Mucho Gusto – Much improved from last season, his Saudi Cup trip was eventful. He likely would have finished third instead of fourth had his jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., not been so concerned with Maximum Security for the entirety of the race. With COVID-19 leading to cancellation of the Dubai World Cup (G1), his plans were dashed.

3.  Tom's d'Etat – A winner of his last three, he is in the best form of his career now at age 7. His Oaklawn Mile Stakes win over Improbable and nine others was deceptively good. The decision to skip the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) has to be questioned, given the fact that with few tracks running there are limited stakes to choose from.

4.  Tacitus – Ran well in his first start of 2020, finishing a close fifth in the Saudi Cup. He also was affected by the cancellation of the Dubai World Cup. Tacitus is back to work and will refocus on New York's big races for older horses this summer should they go as planned. 

5.  Mr. Freeze – Powerful win last out in the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2). Prior to that effort he was runner-up in Mucho Gusto's Pegasus World Cup (G1) win. His best distance is probably at a mile, but he could get more chances to go longer.

Next 5: Code of Honor, Gift Box, By My Standards, Improbable, Midcourt.

Older Dirt Females

1.  Midnight Bisou – Runner-up in the Saudi Cup, she will target a summer return with the Breeders' Cup Distaff as her year-end goal and career finale. In the meantime, could she be elevated to a victory in the Saudi Cup? Stay tuned.

2.  Ce Ce – With two Grade 1 wins already in 2020, she is moving quickly now to challenge for the top spot. She is a serious Eclipse player in this division.

3.  Ollie's Candy - Ran a top race race in the Apple Blossom as she did all the work on the front end while setting some quick fractions. She has finished behind Ce Ce in both of her starts this year.

4.  Dunbar Road - The Alabama (G1) and Mother Goose (G2) winner of 2019 is back on the work tab and looking for somewhere to run.

5.  Point of Honor - Closed from 14th, where she was over 23 lengths back, to run third in the Apple Blossom after getting squeezed back at the break. She has run well in both of her starts this season.

Next 5: Serengeti Empress, Guarana, Street Band, Go Google Yourself,  Pink Sands.

3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Tiz the Law – Would be the Kentucky Derby favorite in a normal year, but this year is far from normal. I'm also curious about the decision by his connections to skip the Arkansas Derby (G1) on May 2. He may not have another spot to run in for months because of the COVID-19 situation.

2.  Authentic – Unbeaten in three career starts, he was sensational last out in the San Felipe (G2), defeating a strong field that included the runner-up, Honor A. P., who was making his season debut. With the Santa Anita Derby (G1) postponed, he is getting a break after two outings this year.

3.  Nadal – Was ranked this high in previous weeks because I felt he was the real deal, and he proved that last out in the Rebel (G2). Now 3-for-3, he likely will be the favorite for the Arkansas Derby, which could be run in two divisions.

4.  Sole Volante – The Sam F. Davis (G3) winner ran his race in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) but was left with too much to do when finishing runner-up to the longshot winner, King Guillermo. Will now apparently skip the Arkansas Derby in part because of COVID-19 complications.

5.  Ete Indien – Ran into a buzzsaw in Tiz the Law in the Florida Derby but still managed to finish third, beaten five lengths. His connections will bypass the Arkansas Derby to point to a Haskell Invitational (G1) in July that is, frankly, no guarantee to even be run in 2020.

Next 5: Honor A.P, Wells Bayou, Independence Hall, Storm the Court, King Guillermo.

3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Donna Veloce – Big things were expected this year from the daughter of Uncle Mo, and she certainly delivered in her first start of 2020, winning the Santa Ysabel (G3). She is back on the sidelines now due to a minor physical setback.

2.  British Idiom – Sure, it was her first start since last fall, but she never threatened Finite in Fair Grounds' Rachel Alexandra (G2), and that one went on to lose her next start. Was supposed to make Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (G1) her final Oaks prep. Now, Oaklawn's Fantasy (G3) is next.

3.  Venetian Harbor – Won the Las Virgenes (G2) by more than nine lengths in her stakes debut and could be something special. She will go next in the Fantasy Stakes as well, making the ship from Santa Anita Park.

4.  Finite – Disappointed as the odds-on favorite in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) when she was off the board, finishing fourth. This snapped a five-race winning streak. Previously ranked No. 1, she took a big drop.

5.  Bonny South – The impressive winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks is now 3-for-4 in her career and taking it easy with no plans to try the Fantasy.

Next 5: Tonalist's Shape, Wicked Whisper, Kimari, Frank's Rockette, Swiss Skydiver.

Turf Males

1.  Zulu Alpha - The Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) winner tasted his first defeat of the season in the Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream when runner-up to Bemma's Boy. Still on top of this division for now, but I expect several others to contend for this Eclipse.

2.  Annals of Time - The Sword Dancer (G1) winner last year, he could be the one to beat in this division for 2019 Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar's connections if he stays healthy. Back on the work tab at Palm Meadows, but it may be tough to find a comeback race.

3.  United - Almost pulled off a shocking upset in the Breeders' Cup Turf, losing to Bricks and Mortar by a head. Then won the San Marcos (G2) to get his 2020 season underway. With Dubai canceled, his next start may not happen for a while.

4.  River Boyne – It was time to move him up with no others standing out. He has put together two graded wins in a row, his last being the Kilroe Mile (G1).

5.  Arklow - Winner of the Joe Hirsch (G1) last fall at Belmont, he has appeared once this season, when he finished fifth to winner Zulu Alpha in the Pegasus World Cup Turf.

Next 5: Bowies Hero, Mo Forza, Bemma's Boy, Factor This, Sadler's Joy.

Turf Females

1.  Uni – Not much separates this one and Sistercharlie. With racing in New York and other locations not likely until late summer at the earliest, she has few options on where to return.

2.  Sistercharlie – Has lost only one race since June 2018, in last November's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Connections have a campaign planned that could include a run against the boys in the Arlington Million (G1) in late summer. She's back in light training at Palm Meadows, gearing up for her 6-year-old campaign.

3.  Got Stormy – Ran her race against the boys last out but was just edged at the wire by Rover Boyne in the Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. Some may have been disappointed with this effort, but I felt it was one of her better races.

4.  Starship Jubilee – She is stacking up victories, as she won her third race already this season in Tampa Bay Downs' Hillsborough (G2). If not for the trio of stars on top of this division, she would be the one people are talking about. Don't count her out.
5.  Magic Wand – Tried valiantly in her first dirt start in the Saudi Cup, but it wasn't to be as she checked in ninth. Previously, the globetrotting mare ran a big race in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, finishing second after surprisingly setting the pace.

Next 5:  Rushing Fall, Cambier Parc, Beau Recall, Juliet Foxtrot, Jolie Olimpica.

Male Sprinters

1.  Whitmore - Takes over the top spot in a wide open sprint division. He beat the best field of sprinters we have seen so far in 2020 in last weekend's Count Fleet Sprint (G3) and did so handily. With two wins in three starts,, he shows no signs of slowing down at age 7.

2.  Firenze Fire – Like Maximum Security, questions now surround this former Jason Servis trainee's future. Also like Maximum Security, he still occupies the No. 1 spot in his respective division. I still believe this horse is as good as he has run, but no one will know the real truth until he starts again for new trainer Kelly Breen's barn.

3.  Mind Control - Started off 2020 with a win in the Toboggan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. And last out a few weeks ago, he looked beaten but put in a spectacular stretch run to win the Tom Fool (G3). Would have liked to have seen him ship to Oaklawn for the Count Fleet Sprint, but COVID-19 has made going to and from New York difficult.

4.  Flagstaff - Off the board only once in 12 career starts, he ran a bang up second to Whitmore in the Count Fleet, rallying after a slow break. Previously in 2020, he won the San Carolos (G2) and finished runner-up in the Palos Verdes (G2) at Santa Anita.

5.  Shancelot - Previously trained by the now-indicted Jorge Navarro, his future is also up in the air, and he will have questions to answer once he is back. 

Next 5: Imperial Hint, New York Central, Cistron, Captain Scotty, Vekoma.

 
Female Sprinters

1.  Hard Not to Love - Covfefe left a huge void at the top of this division. This Grade 1 heroine in 2019 returned a winner in the Santa Monica (G2) at Santa Anita and then tried to stretch out in the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita, where she was runner-up to the Apple Blossom heroine, Ce Ce. 

2.  Come Dancing – Was up the track in last weekend's Apple Blossom in her first start of 2020. While that was around two turns, look for this gal to be back sprinting the rest of the season. 

3.  Serengeti Empress - Never saw the lead in the Apple Blossom and faded to finish 11th. Although she hasn't sprinted yet this season, we know she can hang with the very best as she showed last August when runner-up to Covfefe in the Test at Saratoga. Stays ranked here in this division for now.

4.  Mia Mischief - Made her first start of 2020 a winning one for her new owner, Stonestreet Stables. A Grade 1 winner from last year who sold for $2.4 million at the end of the season, she will get every chance to contend for an Eclipse in this division with this weekend's Carousel next at Oaklawn.

5.  Pink Sands - In a division lacking depth, she cracks the top five. Won her only start this year sprinting in the Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream. 

Next 5: Special Relativity, Spiced Perfection, Kimari, Royal Charlotte, Break Even.