Division Rankings: Let's give thanks to the horses

With Rich Strike slated to take on older horses in the Clark (G1) at Churchill Downs this week, I was going to join in on the surprising Eclipse Award debate revolving around this Kentucky Derby winner should he get the job done and win his second race of 2022. But really, there is no debate, in my opinion.

I’m a fan of Rich Strike, but even his fans have to admit that his record in 2022 is not Eclipse Award worthy, even with a win this weekend. It’s very simple: He has finished off the board in three of his four Grade 1 starts and posted an overall 2022 record of 8: 1-1-2. Credit to Rich Strike for validating his Kentucky Derby triumph to a degree with respectable efforts in races since. And we do have Rich Strike to look forward to in 2023 where the same can’t be said of so many other stars who ran in 2022 But as far as the Eclipse, there is no debate.

Instead, this week I want to thank the horses in this game. No, they can’t read this and they will never know how many fans truly love them and appreciate them. But nevertheless, this week it’s all about giving thanks, from the lowest level claimer to the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.

Make no mistake, that 5k claimer is just as big of a star to his connections and fans as the top-level Grade 1 horse is. Horses are the stars who make this game go. They are underappreciated and often forgotten.

Before I give my thanks to some of our equine friends, let's take a look at this week's Division Rankings.

Older dirt males

1. Flightline. One of the best horses we have seen in the Breeders' Cup era, this guy went out with style with his overwhelming Breeders' Cup Classic win. A match race from the start, he kept up with Life Is Good's historic early fractions and ran off to another facile win. Retired now after only three races this season and six in his career, so we will never know how he could have stacked up to the past greats.

2. Life Is Good. I give this guy a lot of credit: He was the only other horse in the Breeders' Cup Classic who was intent on trying to win. Set ridiculously fast fractions and was brave on the lead until the stretch, where he simply ran out of gas. Although he finished fifth, it likely will be the most talked about fifth-place finish we have ever seen. I agree with his connections now on the this race choice, despite his loss. As his trainer Todd Pletcher stated after the race, Life Is Good went out courageously.

3. Olympiad. Ran another strong race that in most years would have won him the Breeders' Cup Classic and horse of the year. His runner-up finish was best of the rest, but because of the presence of Flightline this guy will not win an Eclipse award. Finishes the season with six wins from eight starts. His five graded-stakes wins in 2022 were the most of any horse in this division.

4. Cody's Wish. Came on late at the end of the season, winning the Forego (G1) at Saratoga and narrowly winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by a nose over Cyberknife. Will stay in training and run again next season.

5. Country Grammer. Ran his race when a distant runner-up to Flightline in the Pacific Classic (G1), finishing clear of the rest. Like everyone else in this division, he is far behind Flightline. A disappointing runner-up previously in the Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita, he is done racing this season and will point to the Saudi Cup (G1) in February.

Next 5: Hot Rod Charlie, Art Collector, Defunded, Royal Ship, Americanrevolution.

Older dirt females

1. Malathaat. Her Breeders' Cup Distaff win by a nose will net her the Eclipse in this division as she swept to Grade 1 wins in her last three starts this season.

2. Blue Stripe. Came within a nose of Malathaat and the Eclipse in this division. It was a three-horse blanket finish where any one of the three would reside at No. 1 in this division and win the Eclipse with a win. Such is life in the Thoroughbred racing world. A tough-luck runner-up for this gal. She too is now retired.

3. Clairiere. She was third in that Distaff blanket finish, losing by two noses. She could be back racing next year, which is the good news for her fans. The bad news is she will be a denied an Eclipse that she came so close to winning.

4. Search Results. Well beaten in the Breeder's Cup Distaff, she still had a great season, placing in all of her starts but one.

5. Letruska. Off the board with no apparent excuses last time out in the Spinster (G1), it is clear her best days are behind her. She likely will be retired soon after an outstanding career that saw her win the Eclipse in this division last season.

Next 5: Shedaresthedevil, Pauline's Pearl, Private Mission, Miss Leslie, Army Wife.

3-year-old males

1. Epicenter. Despite his Breeders' Cup mishap, where he was injured during the race and didn't finish, this guy will win the Eclipse in this division. Unfortunately, he is now retired because of the injury. 2. Taiba. Ran a good race in the Classic to finish third and will be back next year, likely as the leader of the older dirt male division to start the season. Won two Grade 1 events in 2022. 3. Cyberknife. Ran another great race in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when runner-up to Cody's Wish, and he will get plenty of Eclipse support in this division based on his multiple Grade 1 wins and Breeders' Cup showing. 4. Rich Strike. Didn't run badly in the Classic, finishing fourth and beaten for the runner-up spot by three lengths. Will run in the Clark (G1) Friday, where a win would be nice but not enough to move him into the Eclipse conversation. 5. Zandon. Ran his usual race in the Penn Derby (G1), which resulted in another good on-the-board effort. In four graded stakes since his Blue Grass (G1) win in April, he has finished runner-up twice and third twice. Scheduled to run in the Cigar Mile (G1) in early December. Next 5: Mo Donegal, Early Voting, Jack Christopher, Charge It, White Abarrio.

3-year-old females

1. Nest. As I expected, she was a bit overmatched in the Breeders' Cup Distaff when off the board, finishing fourth. But the Eclipse is in the bag with her multiple Grade 1 wins this season.

2. Secret Oath. Looked good turning for home in the Breeders' Cup Distaff but ran out of gas to finish fifth, beaten over five lengths for the win. She will be back next year and should be a major player in the older dirt female division along with Nest.
3. Echo Zulu. Very good runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint after only one race to prepare since May. I am really looking forward to seeing this gal try two turns again. Still think she might be the best of any in her class.
4. Society. It was too much too soon in the Breeders' Cup Distaff as she finished second to last. Before her Breeders' Cup debacle, she won the Cotillion (G1).
5. Moira. Didn't run poorly in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, where she finished fifth. The Queen's Plate winner from earlier this year faced tough older foes her last two starts and will get a freshening before a 2023 campaign.

Next 5: Midnight Memories, Matareya, Wicked Halo, Interstatedaydream, Kathleen O.

Turf males

1. Modern Games. The Breeders' Cup Mile winner won both of his North American starts in 2022 and likely will win the Eclipse in this division as no U.S.-based horse has stood out.

2. Count Again. This guy has racked up two Grade 1 wins 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.

3. Rebel's Romance. The Breeders' Cup Turf winner by a wide margin, this gelding has won five in a row. Being a gelding, we should see him in the years to come. Good news for racing fans.

4. Golden Pal. One-dimensional type: If he misses the break, his chances of winning go down the tubes. That that is what happened in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, where he was favored.

5. Nations Pride. Fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf, he ran well in his other North American turf starts, winning the Saratoga Derby (G1) and Jockey Club Derby (G3).

Next 5: Annapolis, Ivar, Gufo, Santin, Shirl's Speight.

Turf females

1. War Like Goddess. The top three here are very difficult to separate. All three have three graded-stakes wins on the season. As it stands right now I am leaning toward this gal for the Eclipse. This is a tough call. Ran well against the boys in the Breeders' Cup Turf, by far the best showing of any U.S.-based horse.

2. In Italian. Ran well when runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Before that effort, she scored her second Grade 1 win in a row in the First Lady at Keeneland. Again, this is a tough call between these top three.

3. Regal Glory. Perhaps this gal went a bit off form in the later part of the season, going winless in her last three starts, although two of those came against males. Finished 10th in the Breeders' Cup Mile but will get support for the Eclipse based on her full 2022 resume. She can retake the top spot here still this season as her connections will send her to California and run in the Matriarch (G1) on Dec. 4 at Santa Anita. A win there would be her third Grade 1 win this season and enough for me to vote her the Eclipse winner of this division.

4. Going Global. Was superb last time out in the Goldikova Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Wish we could have seen her in the Breeders' Cup. She has won nine graded stakes in her career and has won three of her five starts this season.

5. 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.

Next 5: Dalika, Going to Vegas, Technical Analysis, Wakanaka, Princess Grace.

Male sprinters

1. Jackie's Warrior. Despite his Breeders' Cup Sprint loss, he will win the Eclipse as he was the best in this division in 2022. Clearly, he lost a step or two in the latter part of the season after a nice career where he danced pretty much every dance as a sprinter.

2. Cody's Wish. Came on late at the end of the season, winning the Forego at Saratoga and narrowly winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by a nose over Cyberknife. Will stay in training and run again next season.

3. Elite Power. The Breeders' Cup Sprint winner came on well in the last month, also winning the Vosburgh (G2) in October. But he won't win the Eclipse as those were his only starts in stakes competition this season.

4. Jack Christopher. He was dominant in the Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) at seven furlongs over the Saratoga oval. He missed the Breeders' Cup.

5. American Theorem. Off the board in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, but he was very good out west earlier this season.

Next 5: CZ Rocket, Laurel River, Golden Pal, Gunite, Brickyard Ride.

Female sprinters

1. Goodnight Olive. Facile winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, she is a deserving No. 1 as she beat the best in this division in her last two starts, both Grade 1 events.

2. Echo Zulu. This 3-year-old filly ran well against her elders, finishing runner-up to Goodnight Olive in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

3. Obligatory. No excuses when fifth to Goodnight Olive, she was beaten six lengths for the win. Earlier this season 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.

4. Kimari. Connections ran her against the boys in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and she was off the board. Perhaps she could have given Goodnight Olive a challenge? We will never know.

5. Wicked Halo. Another 3-year-old filly who ran well in the Breeders' Cup as this gal finished third in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Before that effort she won two Grade 2 events, the Raven Run at Keeneland and the Prioress Stakes at Saratoga.

Next 5: Ce Ce, Just One Time, Edgeway, Bell's the One, Chi Town Lady.

2-year-old males
1.  Forte. Reeled in Cave Rock in the stretch of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and is a deserving champion. Already three Grade 1 wins in his short career.
2. Cave Rock. Really no excuses when runner-up to Forte but still had a great campaign. Before the Breeders' Cup, he won by more than five in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita. 3. National Treasure. Ran well again when third in the Breeders' Cup to the top two. Should be a major player next year on the Kentucky Derby trail. 4. Blazing Sevens. Fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he finished third earlier this season in the Hopeful at Saratoga and then won the Champagne (G1) over a sloppy track. 5. Loggins. Close runner-up to Forte in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) in only his second start. This guy was flattered by that Breeders' Cup result.
Next 5: Curly Jack, Arabian Knight, Havnameltdown, Gulfport, Verifying.

2-year-old females
1. Wonder Wheel. Super impressive in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, closing strong to win going away. Won the the Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland in her previous start.
2. Leave No Trace. She validated her high ranking in these parts with her runner-up finish to Wonder Wheel at 25-1. Won the Spinaway (G1) earlier this season. 3. And Tell Me Nolies. The Chandelier (G2) and Del Mar Debutante (G1) winner found the competition tough in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies, where she finished eighth, beaten about seven lengths. 4. Raging Sea. Ran well when third to Wonder Wheel in the Breeders' Cup after finishing fourth to that same rival in the Alcibiades (G1)
5. You're My Girl. Finished second in the Frizette (G1) and fifth in the Breeders' Cup Jevnile Fillies in her last two starts after a maiden win.
Next 5: Chocolate Gelato, Vegas Magic, Shoplifter, Uncontrollable, Chop Chop.

Thank you to the horses

For the most part I usually stick with writing about a horse or horses each week that are ranked above. This week I will touch on some who might not be ranked above right now but were earlier this year.

Also, you know how when you read a piece on Horse Racing Nation and read the comments below? Sometimes you get caught up in debating or reminiscing about horse or race from the past reminding you of a horse or race you were thankful to see in person or on television. I will touch on one of my favorites. As I have written previously, you don’t need to meet a horse to fall in love with them and be a huge fan.

I want to thank Life Is Good. He ran from January to November against the best, and he showed me more in defeat in the Breeders’ Cup Classic than he did in any of his wins. I think of Life Is Good as a racehorse much differently than I did a year ago, he retired as one of my favorites. 

I want to thank Rated R Superstar. This 9-year-old gelding was in the rankings earlier this year, reaching a high of No. 10 after winning a Grade 3 event in March. He is still running – and winning. He won a listed stakes in late August and is still in training. This guy deserves recognition, and I was happy to include him in the rankings earlier this year.

I want to thank Epicenter. He went out a winner in my book. He survived his Breeders’ Cup Classic mishap and his fans let out a huge sigh of relief. This guy showed up and ran his race every time in 2022. I am thankful he will have a retirement to carry those bloodlines for years to come. I also want to thank jockey Joel Rosario, who likely saved Epicenter’s life by pulling him up so fast and safely after sensing his injury. 

I thank Domestic Spending. He didn’t run for a year but gave the Breeders’ Cup Mile a try. Despite his injury, he is expected to recover. The 5-year-old gelding will be provided with a pampered life in beautiful pastures. 

I want to thank Rich Strike. He captivated the racing world with his shocking 80-1 Kentucky Derby win. I think I can speak for most in writing that this guy has pretty much every fan rooting for him to perform well in future races. He is the current “people's” horse.

I want to thank Flightline. Flightline was otherworldly as a racehorse. He didn’t run much, but I slowly warmed to the narrative. No debate here on where he resides historically, that isn’t what this is about. I’m just thankful I got to witness his races.

I want to thank a horse by the name of Beverly Park. You probably haven't heard of this 5-year-old horse, but he has run 27 times so far in 2022 at 14 racetracks. Mainly a starter allowance horse, Beverly Park has started the most races in 2022 of any horse in the country. Horses like this, the claimers and starter allowance horses, are the unsung heroes of this game and are what keeps this game going. I still remember a few claimers I watched as a kid. They will never be forgotten.

I want to thank Jackie’s Warrior and Hot Rod Charlie. These two were stars at age 2 in 2020 and were around for every dance since. They both gave it their all in every race, and we as fans could always count on them to be present for the big races.

I want to thank Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody’s Wish. Thank you for winning that race for your teenage pal Cody Dorman, for whom you were named who was there to greet you in the winner’s circle. It was and is a remarkable story.

I want to thank 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand. I was always an Alysheba fan, and you broke my heart when you defeated him the following year in the 1987 Breeders’ Classic. But I will never forget you, Ferdinand. You are one of the reasons Thoroughbred aftercare has come a long way. It still has a long way to go, but is better because of you. You will never be forgotten.

There are so many others I can highlight, but that’s what the comments section can be used for this week by the readers, and even myself. These above were just a small sampling of horses and stories that came to my mind. Truthfully, I am thankful for every horse in this sport.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.