Division Rankings: Letruska is in unfamiliar underdog role

In the leadup to this weekend’s Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga all the talk has surrounded the matchup between Clairiere and Malathaat, and rightfully so. These two have faced each other a whopping six times overt the last year or so.

While Malathaat has finished ahead of her rival in four of the six meetings, it is Clairiere who has had the upper hand this season, sweeping both of their matchups.

Lost in the build-up to this weekend’s Personal Ensign is the presence of Letruska. Remember, she won this race last year and is the reigning Eclipse Award winner of this division. Before I dive into my Letruska thoughts, and why I think she is the likely winner this weekend, let's take a look at this week's Division Rankings.

Older dirt males

1. Life Is Good. Ran a monster race in the Whitney (G1) and is clearly the best horse in the country at nine furlongs or less. Do I think he can win the Breeders' Cup Classic? No. There is no reason to believe he will show the same brilliance at 10 furlongs. The Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile would be the best path to Horse of the Year for this guy. Look for him next in the Woodward (G1) at Aqueduct or the Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs on Oct. 1.

2. Olympiad. No excuses when a dull fourth in the Whitney. Still, he gets one mulligan and is not out of this Eclipse race just yet. Needs to rebound in his next start. He will wheel back in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga on Sept. 3. Not sure he is in love with the Saratoga surface, though.

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 will sit for another three months and return in the 10-furlong Pacific Classic (G1) on Sept. 3.

4. Country Grammer. Returned in the recent San Diego (G2) at Del Mar and finished a good runner-up to Royal Ship at a distance that likely was too short for him. The Dubai World Cup (G1) winner will meet Flightline in the Pacific Classic for his next start.

5. Happy Saver. Yes, he moves into the top five this week. Why? Because he fires every time and has finished behind only the best in the division this year. I also believe that the 10 furlongs of the Breeders' Cup Classic will be perfect for him. A real dark horse to steal the show in November. He will go next in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Next 5: Hot Rod Charlie, Express Train, Royal Ship, Speaker's Corner, Americanrevolution.

Older dirt females

1. Clairiere. Came running again in the Shuvee (G2) a few weeks ago to again defeat her rival Malathaat. That's two wins in a row now, placing her firmly at the top here. Will be favored in this weekend's Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga where another win will give her a stranglehold on this division.

2. Malathaat. Runner-up again to Clairiere in the Shuvee, she has only a Grade 3 win on the season but she ran another big race. She too will head to the Personal Ensign this weekend.

3. Letruska. Defending champion of this division, she is somewhat forgotten now. She was part of the hot pace in the Ogden Phipps (G1), 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. Won't be favored this weekend in the Personal Ensign, and could slip to the third or fourth betting choice.

4. Search Results. Much the best in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth, winning by open lengths. Will also run in the loaded Personal Ensign this weekend, but don't expect her to go with Letruska on the lead. I expect to see her lay just off of that rival, and if she does, she is a win contender.

5. Blue Stripe. This mare from South America has been getting better and better and don't be surprised to see her continue her winning ways and be a major contender on Breeders' Cup time. Scored a facile win in the recent Clement Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.

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

3-year-old males

1. Epicenter. Will be favored in this weekend's Travers, and rightfully so. He was much the best in the Jim Dandy (G2), as he validated his spot here. I think he is the best of his class, and he can take a giant step towards year-end honors with a win this weekend.
2. Cyberknife. The Haskell (G1) winner has to be placed this high, considering that he is the only member of his class with two Grade 1 wins this season around two turns. Will also run in the Travers, where another win could cinch the Eclipse, given that he would have three Grade 1 wins and his closest pursuer would have only one.
3. Zandon. Runner-up in the Jim Dandy, he ran well and should get a better pace setup in the Travers. The Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner from earlier this year could be the dark horse in the Travers.
4. Early Voting. The Preakness winner had no excuses in the Jim Dandy when allowed to set moderate fractions all on his own but faded to finish fourth. Allowed a mulligan and will get a shot to redeem himself in this weekend's Travers.

5. Taiba. Looked like a winner in the stretch of the Haskell but didn't see Cyberknife until it was too late. To his credit, he did rebreak once he saw his rival but was edged at the wire. Would have loved to see him in the Travers.
Next 5: Rich Strike, Tawny Port, Charge It, Jack Christopher, White Abarrio.
3-year-old females

1. Nest. Dominant again in last week's Alabama (G1) at Saratoga, this gal clearly thrives the longer she goes. Previous to that she was a dominant winner of the CCA Oaks (G1), beating her rival Secret Oath by double-digit lengths. Seemingly has the command of this division now, and up next is probably a run against older females. 

2. Secret Oath. The Kentucky Oaks winner was just second best again, this time in the Alabama. Runner-up to Nest in her last two starts, she will need to run the table to have a shot at the Eclipse now.

3. Moira. Dominant winner of the Queens Plate over males in Canada, she is unbeaten in three starts this season. Her connections are thinking big and will skip the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown and instead point her to the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx in late September. We will find out then just how good this daughter of Ghostzapper really is.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Next 5: Matareya, Interstatedaydream, Under the Stars, Desert Dawn, 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.

2. Adhamo. Winner of the United Nations (G1) a few weeks back, this guy has placed in all four of his graded-stakes starts this season. Starting to come into his own for trainer Chad Brown. Could be the favorite in this weekend's Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga.

3. 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. He too will run in the Sword Dancer.

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. Had to miss a scheduled start in this weekend's Sword Dancer because of a "minor setback" according to his connections.

5. 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 a while and will continue to drop in the coming weeks.

Next 5: Golden Pal, Santin, Smooth Like Strait, Tribhuvan, Casa Creed.

Turf females

1. Regal Glory. Found the waters a bit too deep when trying males last time out in the Fourstardave (G1) as she finished runner-up, her first loss of the season. Previously she was outstanding 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. Still has the lead in this division on the strength of her two Grade 1 wins this season.

2. War Like Goddess. Was dominant in her return off a layoff in the Glens Falls (G2) at Saratoga. She loves the longer distances and for that reason she could face males in her next start. The Breeders' Cup Turf against the males could be the long range goal for this gal.

3. Going Global. Rebounded from a rare loss to score a facile three length win in the Yellow Ribbon (G2) at Del Mar. Earlier this season she scored in the Royal Heroine (G2) at Santa Anita. The best female turfer on the west coast, she should eventually get her chance against the best in this division later this year at the Breeders' Cup.

4. Bleecker Street. Suffered the first loss of her career last time out 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. I won't drop her off because of that one loss, but now she is on the shelf with an injury. Will drop in the coming weeks.

5. 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. Needs to run soon or will drop.

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

Male sprinters

1. Jackie's Warrior. This guy is a machine and better than ever. Dominant last time out in the Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga. He has two races left in his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career, the Forego (G1) this weekend at Saratoga and the Breeders' Cup in early November at Keeneland. Should he win both, he will go down as one of the best pure sprinters we have seen in the last 30 years. Appreciate this horse while you can.

2. Speaker's Corner. He was soundly beaten by Life is Good last time out in the Nerud (G2), and that was on this heels of his defeat at the hands of Flightline in the Met Mile (G1) when third. Before 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. Love the decision by his connections to ship out west to avoid Jackie's Warrior and run in this weekend's Pat O'Brien (G2) at Del Mar.

3. American Theorem. This guy has emerged as the best sprinter in the west as he won his second straight graded sprint stakes, this time the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar. Will stay out west for his next start in this weekend's Pat O'Brien at Del Mar.

4. Jack Christopher. Lost the Haskell when he tried two turns, but as I wrote previously, he will be back sprinting and could have a say in this division. Will go next in the Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) at seven furlongs this weekend.

5. Golden Pal. Won last time out in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga, but only by a nose. Should have one more start prior to his Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint title defense.

Next 5: Reinvestment Risk, Aloha West, Mind Control, Cezanne, Brickyard Ride.

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 starts 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. Beaten as the favorite in the Honorable Miss (G2) by Kimari, she previously had won the Bed o' Roses going wire to wire. And before that she made her first start of the year in the Vagrancy (G3) a winning one.

5. Kimari. Connections ran in her the Honorable Miss, and she rewarded them with a nice win. I think she is far better on the dirt and the connections finally agree – they have charted a path to get her to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

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

Letruska has gone postward as the favorite in each of her last eight starts, that streak will come to end this Saturday in the Personal Ensign Stakes. What’s interesting is that not only will Letruska not be favored, she could fall to the fourth choice in this small field of five. That’s what happens when you lose your last start by 30 plus lengths.

To be fair, the margin of defeat in her last race was due mostly to jockey Jose Ortiz preserving his mare in the stretch when it was apparent she wasn’t going to win after setting quick early fractions. He merely eased her to the wire knowing she would be back on the big stage again for another try.

When Letruska loses a race, she does it well. In her only two loses over the past 17 months she was eased in the stretch losing by double digit lengths each time. But Letruska has rebounded from big losses before, and there is no reason to believe she can’t again on Saturday.

In that Ogden Phipps Stakes loss in June, Letruska was hounded on the front-end by Search Results who pushed her a 45.23 half and 1:09.23 through fix furlongs. That was too much too early. Still, the run by Letruska was somewhat disappointing because of the fact that Search Results held tough in the stretch to finish third. Search Results was hard ridden to the wire in a super effort. It would have been interesting to see where Letruska would have finished had she been ridden hard to the wire.

I don’t expect the same pace battle on the front end this time around. Search Results, if allowed to lay just off of Letruska on the front end, could win this race outright herself, I believe she is that good. But for me, the race this weekend still goes through the champ. I won’t give up on Letruska because of that one loss. I expect her to be on the lead again, except this time I think her opposition may leave her alone, thinking her best days are behind her.

If another attempts to run with Letruska they are sacrificing their chances for the win, and if that scenario takes place, I would love to see Jose Ortiz take Letruska back. Letruska does not need the lead, she ran one of her better career races last year when coming from off the pace to nearly catch Shedaresthesdevil in the Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn.

Clairiere and Malathaat are getting all the attention, but Letruska is the one who more Grade 1 wins than the two favorites in this field combined. In other words, don’t sleep on the champ.