Division rankings: Clairiere leads mid-season Eclipse hopes

With the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes a couple of weeks ago, Thoroughbred racing has reached the unofficial halfway point of its season, and it's time to hand out my mid-season awards.

When voting for the year-end Eclipse Awards, I take into consideration the entire season, not only the Breeders' Cup, as many voters tend to do. Also, not only the last 30 days of the season, as was the case with the male sprint Eclipse last year.

So, for my mid-season awards, the same line of thinking was applied here

Mid-season horse of the year: Clairiere

This one was a difficult choice for me. I think we could have gone with any one of three horses here.

Cody’s Wish would have been the choice for many, but seeing as how one of his wins was in a division (Sprint) he doesn’t even lead, I felt two others were more deserving.

In Italian is certainly deserving as she has faced several highly regarded horses in her division and defeated them soundly in her two Grade 1 wins this season.

But in the end, I chose to go with Clairiere.

Clairiere has faced and defeated the best in her division. She has won the two biggest events her division had to offer thus far this year, the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park and the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont Park. Her Phipps win two weeks ago was perhaps the best race of her career. This daughter of Curlin sat atop this division this time last year and came within inches of the Eclipse in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Just for reference, at this point last season the eventual Eclipse winner resided in either the No. 1 or No. 2 spots in five of the eight divisions I have ranked below.

Now, on to my division rankings and mid-season winners.

Older dirt males

Mid-season award winner: Cody's Wish

1. Cody's Wish. Has to be ranked here for now on the basis of his two Grade 1 wins this season, and if voting were held today he would win this Eclipse. I write "has to" because he has yet to win a stakes beyond a mile. He was stellar in the Met Mile (G1) last time out, and the next logical spot will be to try to stretch out to nine panels in the Whitney (G1) in August at Saratoga. In the same boat that Mitole was in a few years back and Life Is Good last year as far as distance limitations, and it will be tough to secure an Eclipse other than the sprint award unless he can stretch out successfully. No horse has won the Eclipse in this division who hasn’t won at nine furlongs or more since the inception of the awards more than 50 years ago.

2. Stilleto Boy. Connections will point to the July 1 Stephen Foster (G1) at Ellis Park for his next start. Previously he did all the running in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and fell just short at the wire to lose by two noses to Proxy, a horse he defeated in his previous two starts this season. Given that, he has to be ranked ahead of Proxy. Recency bias doesn't exist in these rankings, so the head-to-head record along with his Grade 1 win matters here.

3. Proxy. He closed well to score his first stakes win of the season and second of his career in the Oaklawn Handicap. But I need to see much more from this guy. The Oaklawn was his first win of the season after an off-the-board finish in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and his runner-up finish to Stilleto Boy in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

4. Defunded. Hard-knocking gelding won the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) on Memorial Day. Two graded-stakes wins this season from four starts, and he hasn't been off the board in any of them. In the best form of his career.

5. Smile Happy. Super impressive on Kentucky Oaks day, defeating several ranked below when winning the Alysheba (G2). Now 2-for-3 this season, he should be a player in this division in races up to nine furlongs. I just can't see him being a serious threat if he is forced to run 10 furlongs. Disappointed his connections chose to skip the Met Mile.

Next 5: Art Collector, West Will Power, Last Samurai, Rattle N Roll, Hopper

Older dirt females

Mid-season award winner: Clairiere

1. Clairiere. The clear leader of the division, she ran down Search Results in the Ogden Phipps (G1) on Belmont day, winning that event for the second year in a row. A valid case can be made that she has been the best older filly or mare the last two seasons, but she has been a bit unlucky. With two Grade 1 wins now this season, the Eclipse will go through this daughter of Curlin. Will start next at Saratoga, pointing to two races. First up is the Shuvee (G2) on July 29, where she will meet Nest, and then the Personal Ensign (G1) on Aug. 25.

2. Search Results. Have to feel for her connections as she was a tough luck runner-up yet again, this time to Clairiere in the Ogden Phipps. In her previous start she was a close third, beaten two heads in the La Troienne (G1).

3. Played Hard. Ran well to be third in the Phipps to Clairiere. Won the La Troienne in her only other start this season. Off the board only two times in 16 career starts.

4. Secret Oath. She simply didn't fire in the Phipps, finishing fifth and beaten over 12 lengths. Now 1-for-4 on the season, the Phipps was the worst start of her career. She is the only horse to have beaten Clairiere this season.

5. A Mo Reay. Started the season off right by winning two stakes, including the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. She then had a shot to move up here but she didn't get the job done in the La Troienne last time out and finished fourth, beaten two lengths. She didn't run badly, but she didn't run as well as expected. Look for trainer Brad Cox to wheel her back soon, perhaps in a race at Saratoga.

Next 5: Adare Manor, Pass the Champagne, Fun to Dream, Idiomatic, Frost Point

3-year-old males

Mid-season award winner: Forte

1. Forte. Was here at No. 1 prior to the Kentucky Derby and nothing that took place in the Triple Crown events was enough to displace him. Much like Epicenter a year ago, will stay here despite not winning a Triple Crown race. His Belmont effort was superb given the circumstances. He has swept both of his meetings with Kentucky Derby winner Mage, and the one time he faced Preakness runner-up Blazing Sevens this season he defeated him by more than 25 lengths. Will be favored over any other 3-year-old in whatever his next start will be, either the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga or Haskell (G1) at Monmouth.

2. Mage. His Preakness third-place finish is a complicated one to analyze. He certainly was in good position throughout, but he didn't have enough at the end. The race he ran in the Derby, combined with the stitches and the fresh horses he faced, got him beaten by more than a slow pace in Baltimore. After all is said and done, this guy has a maiden win and a Kentucky Derby win, the same boat as Rich Strike from a year ago. I hope we see him in the major events this summer.

3. Two Phil's. Really impressed me in the Kentucky Derby as he was close to a fast early pace and held his ground in the stretch to finish a very good runner-up. Some could say he ran the best race of any. Will run in the Ohio Derby (G3) this weekend at Thistledown.

4. Angel of Empire. Disappointed in the Belmont, and I partly blame his trainer. For all the good press Brad Cox receives, why put blinkers on him? I agree with several who commented before and after the race on this move. Why ask him for speed? This was a textbook example of how to screw up (front-load) a group-herd-dynamic horse's energy distribution. The Arkansas Derby (G1) winner finished a close third in the Kentucky Derby, and I still feel that he one of the top five 3-year-old males.

5. Arcangelo. Very impressed with his Belmont win as he had a golden trip up the rail to post a facile win over a strong field. But this was the Belmont, a 12-furlong race that is known to produce out-of-the-box results. Likely will point to the Travers next but wouldn't be favored in a race over any of the above. The Belmont was his second stakes win in five starts.

Next 5: National Treasure, Arabian Lion, Tapit Trice, Practical Move, Disarm

3-year-old females

Mid-season award winner: Pretty Mischievous

1. Pretty Mischievous. Took a big lead in this division with her Acorn (G1) win last week. Before that she scored in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She has won the two biggest events that her division has to offer so far this season. She is now 6-for-8 on her career, never finishing off the board. Is targeting the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on July 22, followed by the Alabama (G1) on Aug. 19, both at Saratoga.

2. Wet Paint. Couldn't overcome a ridiculously slow pace set by Hoosier Philly in the Monomoy Girl Stakes, where she finished second. Still keeping her ranked here for now. Finished fourth as the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks before the Monomoy Girl after demolishing the Fantasy (G3) field at Oaklawn.

3. Gambling Girl. Nearly pulled off the Kentucky Oaks upset, losing by a neck. Winless in four starts this season but has placed in two graded stakes.

4. Faiza. Disappointed as the favorite last out in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), where she finished third. The loss snapped a five-race win streak to start her career, and four of those were graded events.

5. Window Shopping. Won the Summertime Oaks (G2) last out defeating The Alys Look, and before that she was third in Faiza's Santa Anita Oaks (G1).

Next 5: Hoosier Philly, Dorth Vader, Taxed, The Alys Look, Southlawn

Turf males

Mid-season award winner: Up to the Mark

1. Up to the Mark. Was superb last out winning the Manhattan (G1) at Belmont Park, giving him two Grade 1 wins on this season, a rarity for this division the last few years. Do we finally have a grass horse based in the U.S. who can make noise this fall in the Breeders' Cup when the big guns come in from overseas? Well, let's pump the brakes, the jury is out. He certainly has handled the fields he has faced in his last two starts, both of which were Grade 1 wins. But if we are being honest, the fields he has beaten were suspect, and two months ago he faced two horses ranked in this top five and was soundly defeated when third in the Makers Mark Mile (G1). So for now this guy will reside here, but there is a long way to go.

2. Exaulted. Since being moved to the grass from the dirt, this guy is 4-for-4. His win in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) was his second graded-stakes victory of the season, and he may very well be the best in this division right now. Bigger things could be in store for this son of Twirling Candy.

3. Modern Games. Fourth this week at Royal Ascot, he has lost five of his last six overseas. The runner-up in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) earlier this year. This guy won the Eclipse last season and at least has made a start in this country already.

4. Casa Creed. Ran well in the Jaipur (G1), finishing a close third to Caravel. Now a 7-year-old, he is in the best form of his career. He ran lights out when narrowly missing in Saudi Arabia earlier this year in the Turf Sprint (G3) and finished second. The Saudi race was his first start this season. He too should run next at Saratoga.

5. Chez Pierre. No way around it, he disappointed in the Poker (G3) finishing third last out at Belmont Park. The Poker was only his second loss on the lawn. The Makers Mark Mile (G1) winner will make his next appearance at Saratoga.

Next 5: Emmanuel, Ottoman Fleet, Hong Kong Harry, Spooky Channel, Never Explain

Turf females

Mid-season award winner: In Italian

1. In Italian. Has taken a firm hold of the division now with her win in the Just a Game (G1) last week coupled with the loss by War Like Goddess in her race. With two Grade 1 wins on this season, she is in the best form of her career.

2. Caravel. This gal is a turf sprinter but she has to move to this spot now after her win over the boys in the Jaipur (G1) at Belmont Park. She is 3-for-3 this season. Both of her stakes wins this season have come over males.

3. War Like Goddess. The favorite in the New York Stakes (G1), this gal likes to come from far back and, given the ridiculously slow fractions, she was up against it and finished off the board for only the second time in 15 career starts. There was something different about this effort as she has overcome ultra-slow fractions before, and it didn't appear that the spark was there. She was beaten just a little over two lengths in finishing sixth.

4. Marketsegmentation. The winner of the New York Stakes, this gal has won three stakes races in a row and is 3-for-4 on the season. The New York was her first Grade 1 win.

5. Didia. Ran well in the New York Stakes (G1), narrowly defeated as the runner-up. The loss in the New York snapped a seven-race win streak. Previously she won the Modesty (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Next 5: With the Moonlight, Fluffy Socks, Spendarella, Higher Truth, Queen Goddess

Male sprinters

Mid-season award winner: Elite Power

1. Elite Power. Two starts this year, and in those two starts he has has really elevated his stature. He overpowered the Truth North (G2) field last out and now will head to Saratoga to target both big sprint races there, the Vanderbilt (G1) on July 29 and the Forego (G1) on Aug. 26. Building a resume of early-season wins, much like Jackie's Warrior last season. But as we have learned previously, it isn't enough for Eclipse voters who demand wins in the last month or two of the season. Is ranked above Cody's Wish because, well, this guy is the Eclipse winner and hasn't lost since.

2. Cody's Wish. Do we keep him ranked down here with the sprinters? Sure we do. He has one Grade 1 sprint race win this year, the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), and last out he dominated the Met Mile (G1). Could try to stretch out, but just as likely will be back going a mile or less. Because of his connections, we likely will never see the matchup we all want to see, this guy vs. Elite Power going seven furlongs.

3. Spirit of Makena. The best of the West Coast sprinters right now, he has won all three of his starts this season. Last out, he overpowered the Triple Bend (G2) field, and before that he won the San Carlos (G2).

4. Gunite. Disappointed somewhat in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) when third as the favorite. Before that he was simply the best of the rest when runner-up to Elite Power in Saudi Arabia. He overpowered the Aristides Stakes last out, beating four others.

5. Sibelius. Surprise winner of the Golden Shaheen, defeating Gunite, among others. Before that this guy won the listed Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Won his first graded stakes in late December at Gulfstream in the Mr. Prospector (G3). Was off the board when fourth in Gunite's Aristides win last out.

Next 5: Repo Rocks, Doppelganger, Straight No Chaser, Skelly, Strobe

Female sprinters

Mid-season award winner: Goodnight Olive

1. Goodnight Olive. Rebounded from her loss in the Derby City Distaff (G1) with a good win last week in the Bed o' Roses (G2), where she narrowly defeated the No. 3 ranked Wicked Halo. The Eclipse winner from last season started her season with a win in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland.

2. Matareya. Upset the top one in the Derby City Distaff, and it appears that she and Wicked Halo will make Goodnight Olive work for a repeat Eclipse in this division. Runs this weekend in the Chicago Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park.

3. Wicked Halo. Runner-up again in another huge effort in last week's Bed o' Roses, this time to Goodnight Olive. She is most certainly a serious contender for the Eclipse in this division and appears to be just getting better. Before the Bed o' Roses she was runner-up in the Derby City Distaff to Matareya.

4. Frank's Rockette. Won the Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream in early March and the Roxelana Stakes at Churchill in late April.

5. Fun to Dream. Winner of the Santa Monica (G2) earlier this season, her connections tried to stretch out last time in the Beholder Mile (G1), where she finished runner-up.

Next 5: Echo Zulu, Caramel Swirl, Maryquitecontray, Elm Drive, Maple Leaf Mel