Division Rankings: Gamine - Steady at the top

Avid readers of these Division Rankings are well versed with my Gamine thoughts - I have always felt she was better sprinting.

This weekend she takes another step towards a rarity, a second straight Eclipse as champion female sprinter. Only one other has done it, Groupie Doll in 2012/13.

Gamine is the only horse who has kept her No. 1 ranking every week of the 2021 season, and this weekend she will face her toughest test of 2021 in the Ballerina (g1) at Saratoga. 

Before I get to my brief thoughts on Gamine, and what the Ballerina means to the Eclipse race in her division, let's take a look at the updated Division Rankings:

Older dirt males

1. Knicks Go. Was outstanding in his Whitney win over a solid group that included several ranked below. With two Grade 1 wins on the season, he leads this division and vaults back to the top spot he held entering this season. Will get one more start prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic and is far from a cinch for this Eclipse as this division is still wide open.

2. Maxfield. Won the battle for second best in the Whitney, and that matters here in the rankings. Still, without a Grade 1 win in 2021, he will have to win out in order to get my vote for the Eclipse. 

3. Silver State. Drops down to No. 3 here after his third-place finish in the Whitney, but this guy is still in the thick of things in this division. With a Grade 1 win under his belt already from his Met Mile win earlier this season, there is still a path for him to win this Eclipse. Connections will point for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with one start prior. If he can win his Breeders' Cup race and a 3-year-old wins the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Eclipse will be his.

4. Tripoli. Suddenly a major player after moving to the dirt. The impressive winner of the Pacific Classic last week, he was runner-up in the San Deigo (G2) prior to that, both at Del Mar. With the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, this guy could steal the show and end up with this divisional Eclipse.

5. Country Grammer. The Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) winner has been transferred from previous trainer Bob Baffert to his new trainer, Todd Pletcher. He had run two strong races with his rival, Royal Ship, in California. Will likely miss the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury that has flared up. Will point for the 2022 Pegasus at Gulfstream.

Next 5: Mystic Guide, By My Standards, Max Player, Idol, Code of Honor.

Older dirt females

1. Letruska. Was dominant in her win in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs and has given herself a large lead in this division. A Grade 1 winner in both the U.S. and Mexico, she is 15-for-20 in her career. The Personal Ensign (G1) this weekend at Saratoga is her next start, and Horse of the Year is in play for this Mexican legend.

2. Shedaresthedevil. Was sensational in her trip out west to take the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch. The win was important for another reason, it came over the same Del Mar surface that the Breeder's Cup Distaff will be run on in early November. Don't underestimate the importance of that fact. She showed that she can shop across country and win. She is clearly the biggest threat now to Letruska.

3. Monomoy Girl. Was gallant to the finish in the Apple Blossom (G1) last April but came up a nose short. She was sent to the sidelines with muscle strains and hamstring soreness. Put back in training, and could run again before the season is out.

4. Swiss Skydiver. Given that the Whitney was her first start in four months, she didn't run all that bad. Beaten six lengths for the runner-up spot, she will be back against females in her own division next out, a must win race against Letruska in the Personal Ensign (G1) this weekend.

5. As Time Goes By. Simply never got untracked in the Hirsch, finishing off the board in fourth place, beaten over 10 lengths. She gets a mulligan based off what she has already accomplished this season, so she stays in this No. 5 spot. Previously she was a game winner of the Santa Maria (G2), and prior to that she routed the Santa Margarita (G2) field. She is also entered in this weekend's Personal Ensign.

Next 5: Envoutante, Antoinette, Venetian Harbor, Point of Honor, Spice is Nice.

3-year-old males

1. Essential Quality. Will be the prohibitive favorite in this weekend's Travers, a race I cannot see him losing. The jim Dany winner in his last start, he is the clear leader of the division right now, and a viable Horse of the Year contender. The Kentucky Derby is his only loss in eight career starts.

2. Hot Rod Charlie. Ran another outstanding race in the Haskell, crossing the wire first. With races at five different tracks this season, this guy has left it all out there every time. He and Essential Quality have been the pillars of this division since last fall. He will run next in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in late September, and a win is a must for his Eclipse hopes.

3. Mandaloun. Ran an impressive race in the Haskell with an inside trip to come just short of Hot Rod Charlie at the wire. The Kentucky Derby runner-up has since been sidelined from training due to a sore on a heel and will miss the remainder of the season. Connections will now target the 2022 Saudi Cup. 

4. Medina Spirit. As reported here week's ago, the Shared Belief for 3-year-olds a at Del Mar is his next start this weekend. Last time out he finished third in Rombauer's Preakness, beaten a little over five lengths. Still not out of this Eclipse race, and like the top two above, control's his own Eclipse destiny.

5. Rombauer. The Preakness winner had no excuses in the Belmont when finishing a far-back third. After edging Known Agenda for the show spot. Connections have decided to give Rombauer a break for at least 60 days, is a longshot to make the Breeders' Cup.

Next 5: Jackie's Warrior, Drain the Clock, Midnight Bourbon, Known Agenda, Life is Good.

3-year-old females

1. Malathaat. Took care business the way a prohibitive favorite should have in last weekend's Alamaba (G1) at Saratoga. Now a winner of  the three Grade 1 events on the season, the Eclipse is a virtually locked up, and she will now train up to the Breeders' Cup Distaff.  Win or lose in the Breeders' Cup, she will get my vote in this division.

2. Search Results. Cutting back to the seven-furlong Test Stakes (G1) last out, she finished an even third. Previously she was an impressive winner of the Acorn, which was her first Grade 1 win. Suffered her only loss, to Malathaat, in the Kentucky Oaks earlier this season, but she was game in defeat. Her connections have decided to take her out of training and point to a 4-year-old campaign. Will likely drop from this spot in the coming weeks.

3. Clairiere. Ran a really good race in the Alabama to finished runner-up. Have to respect her consistency and the fact she has shown up for many of the big races this season.

4. Soothsay. It takes a lot for me to really be floored a performance, but that is the best way I can describe what I felt when watching Soothsay come away victorious after rebounding from a nightmarish start in the Indiana Oaks. Showing tremendous fight and determination in the stretch, Soothsay looked like a different horse than the one we saw last out in her loss to Crazy Beautiful in the Summertime Oaks. The Indiana race was her first race outside of Santa Anita too, any way you slice it, she is now a player in this division with the Breeders' Cup in her backyard too. Another that has matured right before our eyes. She will point to the Cotillion (G1) in September for her next start.

5. Army Wife. Finishing third in the Alabama, she has two graded stakes wins on the season and showed she belongs with the top tier.

Next 5: Crazy Beautiful, Will's Secret, Obligatory, Zaajel, Maracuja.

Turf males

1. Domestic Spending. Runner-up in the Mister D (G1), he couldn't overcome a slow place set by winner Two Emmys. The loss leaves this division still open for the taking. He has won two Grade 1 events this season, his facile Manhattan Stakes (G1) win at Belmont was superb, defeating several others ranked below. Will likely train up to the Breeders' Cup Turf according to trainer Chad Brown.

2. Colonel Liam. Running since December, this guy also has two Grade 1 wins on his resume, but he sports a Grade 2 win in 2021 too. True, he did go down to defeat in the Manhattan, but it was his first loss of 2021. He has been running since January and has won three stakes. If he can get back to the races and in the winners circle, the Eclipse is still within reach.

3. Mo Forza. Was sensational last week in his Del Mar Mile (G2) win, his first start since last October. If he can stay healthy, he could be the Breeders' Cup Mile favorite.

4. Smooth Like Strait. Tough luck loser to Mo Forza in the Del Mar Mile, losing by a head. He seems to always bring his "A" game and he too will be a major player come Breeders' Cup Mile time.

5. Tribhuvan. Big win in the Grade 1 United Nations, and previous to that he was runner-up to Domestic Spending in the Manhattan. With two graded wins on the season, he is steadily moving up the ranks. Runs this weekend in Saratoga's Sword Dancer (G1).

Next 5: United, Gufo, Hit the Road, Two Emmys, Cross Border.

Turf females

1. Althiqa. Her win in the Diana  was her second Grade 1 win on the season as she previously won the Just a Game at Belmont Park. Having also won a Group 2 event overseas, she deserves this top spot right now. The simple facts are this, if the season ended today, she would win the Eclipse in this division.

2. Santa Barbara. This 3-year-old filly has was ordinary at her home base overseas, but in two starts stateside has been dominant over her own age group in the Belmont Oaks (G1) and then last weekend over older in the Beverly D (G1). Defeating Mean Mary in the Beverly D, she vaults to this No. 2 spot. Will be interesting to see where she makes her next start, and is certainly a contender now for this Eclipse.

3. Mean Mary. No excuses in the Beverly D but she was game to hold the runner-up spot. She was simply second best. Prior to the Beverly D she was victorious in the New York Stakes (G2) and previous to that winning race, Mean Mary was best in the Gallorette Stakes (G3) at Pimlico. 

4. War Like Goddess. Dominated the Glens Falls (G2) at Saratoga and was a winner of two other graded races earlier this season. She has only one loss from six career starts, and has certainly stepped up her game now for trainer Bill Mott. An intriguing horse to look at moving forward as we turn the page to the important fall events.

5. Thundering Nights. Broke through in a big way in the Pretty Polly Stakes, an Irish Group 1. She is ranked here because previous to that she was a strong runner-up to No. 1 Mean Mary in the New York. Will be a serious contender in any races she chooses here in this country. Finished third last week in an French Group 1.

Next 5: Got Stormy, Blowout, Summer Romance, Princess Grace, Juliet Foxtrot.

Male sprinters

1. C Z Rocket. Stays in here on top despite his loss in the Bing Crosby where he was beaten a neck and a head for the win, finishing third. Didn't run bad, in fact I was encouraged with his race, given that it came without "asix. If the season ended today he would be voted the Eclipse winner of this division. Gets right back into things this weekend in the Pat O'Brien (G2) at Del Mar.

2. Whitmore. He hasn't won in four starts this season so why is he ranked No. 2? Well, for starters, his record thus far this season is better than it was a year ago at this time, his Eclipse Award winning season. Additionally, he is the most reliable in this division outside of C Z Rocket. Came with his run again in the Vanderbilt, finishing a closing third. He is stakes placed in all four starts this season. Entered against a very tough Forego (G1) field this weekend at Saratoga.

3. Flagstaff. The third of the tough older veterans to occupy the top three spots. He fired again in the True North (G2) last out but was only second best. He is at the top of his game now as he scored his first Grade 1 win two starts ago in the Churchill Downs Stakes. Also entered in the Pat O'Brien.

4. Dr. Schivel. This 3-year-old lands in this spot over Jackie's Warrior for two obvious reasons, his big sprint win last out came over older, and was in a Grade 1. Was all heart in the Bing Crosby (G1) defeating several tough veteran sprinters. Has never been off the board in six starts and has two Grade 1 wins in his short career.

5. Jackie's Warrior. Was super impressive over fellow 3-year-olds in a sloppy track Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, but lets not get carried away. Often times we see aberration type performances on sloppy tracks like we saw in the Amsterdam. This No. 5 ranking is somewhat high given it was his first win in a sprint this season, but I do think he has the potential to compete with older horses somewhere down the line. Could be the favorite in this weekend's fascinating renewal of the Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) against the likes of Life is Good and Drain the Clock.

Next 5: Lexitonian, Special Reserve, Firenze Fire, Mind Control, Drain the Clock.

Female sprinters

1. Gamine. Was dominant against an overmatched field in the Great Lady M. Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos last out, and now she rakes on a deep and talented Ballerina (G1) field this weekend at Saratoga. Another win this weekend will all but wrap up the Eclipse.

2. Bell's the One. Won her second straight in the Honorable Miss (G2) last out and previously she won the Roxelana Stakes when defeating the No. 3, Sconsin. After a disappointing effort when she was off the board in the Derby City Distaff, she has rebounded in a big way to jump back into the Eclipse race in this division.She too may be headed to the Ballerina.

3. Sconsin. Ran well in the Roxelana but Bell's the One was too good. Has run well now in three straight and is in the thick of things in a division that appears very top heavy. Will make her next start in the Ballerina against Gamine, among others.

4. Kimari. Still hasn't run since the first week of April. Has posted several works since, but this has been the story of her career. Brilliance when running, but she rarely runs, and this will cost her an Eclipse. In that April start she did not disappoint, edging away in the stretch for a 3/4-length win over Bell's the One in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. 

5. Estilo Talentoso. Disappointed as the favorite in the Princess Rooney (G2) at Gulfstream where she was beaten by Ce Ce after being too far back early. She stays here in this spot because she has done a lot already this season, six starts already - stakes placed in all of them - and has faced the best the division has had to offer several times. She too will ruin in the Ballerina.

Next 5: Ce Ce, Lake Avenue, Bella Sofia, Edgeway, Frank's Rockette.

This weekend’s stakes action at Saratoga has several storylines, and one is the return of Gamine to Saratoga. 

Last time she graced the Saratoga dirt for a race was last summer’s Test Stakes (G1) where she rolled to a seven length win. After trying to stretch her out in the Kentucky Oaks, he connections did the right thing by concentrating on sprint events, and Gamine hasn’t disappointed. 

Dominant in last years Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, she picked up where she left off last season and has won all  three of her starts this year. Her last start, the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos, was her most impressive yet as she ran off to a 10 length win. Her win was flattered last week as one of her beaten rivals, Edgeway, won the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar. 

Gamine will face a tough field this weekend with three of the top six in this division slated to take her on. But if we are being honest here, it is tough to make a case for any horse, female or male, to beat Gamine sprinting. Should Gamine take care of business this weekend, the Eclipse race in this division is over. No other will have enough time to unseat Gamine from the top, she will have done too much. 

The question I would love to see answered is Gamine against the males in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Why not? If she wins impressively again this weekend there is nothing left to prove against her own gender, why not take a shot at some real history?