Division Rankings: Indictments will influence Eclipse races

Each week, I prepare for this column by carving out time to pore over the video of recent stakes results. I analyze each horse that I have ranked previously, then consider which new ones will enter the lists.

This is something I look forward to.

One of my favorite parts of the process is when determining what to focus the column on. It's a chance to shine a spotlight on some horses or divisions that don't always grab the headlines but certainly deserve attention.

But in this difficult time for anyone who loves racing, I can't lie. I did not look forward to this week's column, still processing the events of Monday, when federal prosecutors unveiled allegations of doping by 27 individuals in the sport, including trainers Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro.

My first thought was to take this piece in another direction -- search for an overlooked horse or division. Much has been written about indictments against these trainers, after all. But ignoring what has taken place this week just isn't an option.

The trainers named in this scandal disgust me. But is this news about these particular individuals surprising to most in the sport? Of course not. There have been rumblings for years.

I am unsure of what to make of the owners' responsibility in this. There has been speculation for years revolving around the two big-name trainers involved in this scandal.

They all knew this. They all heard the whispers. Let's not be naive.

Wouldn't at least one of these owners have confronted their trainers over the last few years, questioning them on the rumors? These owners had the best horses they have ever owned in the care of these "trainers." One would assume they're up to speed on every single aspect of their training, especially the veterinarian bills.

This investigation, by the way, is not over. More names are coming.

Is any trainer off the hook? Any above suspicion? Is that fair to say? 

What makes my stomach truly turn about this whole mess is thinking about the horses involved.

Although I have no bias in ranking the horses in this weekly column or, eventually, when casting my Eclipse Awards votes at the end of the year, I as with many consider myself a fan of certain horses. I've been particularly fond of both Maximum Security and X Y Jet.

None of this is their fault, yet their legacies are tarnished. And it seems possible that X Y Jet is no longer alive because of his trainer's action. It disgusts me. 

As far as Maximum Security, let's just say the jury is out. We have no idea what effect, if any, performance-enhancing drugs had on his championship 3-year-old season or recent Saudi Cup victory. All we know is based on federal indictments, Maximum Security is alleged to have had an illegal substance called SFG-1000 in his system last June in his only career loss, the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Beyond that, we do not know in which races Maximum Security had SGF-1000 in his system. Servis did, for what it's worth, say he administers it to most of his horses, according to investigators. 

My hope is Maximum Security will race again. I know that if I owned the colt, I would want to give him another chance -- see how he responds in Hall of Famer Bob Baffert's care and allow the chance to restore his reputation. It would be quite a twist in a dramatic career.

But would I support stripping the Eclipse Award from Maximum Security? Absolutely not. 

We do not know what races he ran with SGF-1000. It wasn't tested. You can't strip the Eclipse from Maximum Security on this basis. Racing let Maximum Security win a number of its major races, and he never failed any post race tests. Are we going to back and test every horse who ran last year for this particular substance? No, and so we have no idea which horses ran with it.

Do I think differently of Maximum Security, World of Trouble, Firenze Fire, Shancelot and the others unknowingly affected by this? No.

SGF-1000 doesn't turn a claimer into the best dirt horse the world. It probably doesn't turn a Grade 2-caliber horse into the best horse in the world. 

Many will disagree, but I still believe Maximum Security is the best dirt horse in the world. I still believe the former Servis trainee Firenze Fire is one the best sprinters in the country.

We will start to unravel the mystery of how these horses perform with their new barns later this year. Firenze Fire may be first up in Aqueduct's April 4 Carter Handicap (G1), a race that could have a domino effect in terms of plans for other star horses caught up in this scandal.

This is something that could influence the Eclipse Award races all season. We'll continue to factor it in. For now, a look at how the Division Rankings stand...

Older Dirt Males

1.  Maximum Security - His future is uncertain in light of the recent indictments. While none of this mess is his fault, I hope he gets the chance to write a happy ending to the racing chapter of his epic story.

2.  Mucho Gusto - Much improved from last season, his Saudi Cup trip was eventful. He would have likely finished third instead of fourth had his jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., not been so concerned with Maximum Security for the entirety of the race. The Dubai World Cup (G1) is up next.

3.  Tacitus - Ran well in his first start of 2020, finishing a close fifth in the Saudi Cup. With Maximum Security and Midnight Bisou passing on Dubai, this guy will be one of the horses to beat.

4.  Code of Honor - Still hasn't posted a work this season, but big things will be expected this year for the inconsistent son of Noble Mission. He may get another shot against Maximum Security, who he hasn't beaten across the wire in two tries.

5.  Mr. Feeeze - 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. He's headed to Dubai for the Godolphin Mile (G2) next.

Next 5: Gift Box, Tom's d'Etat, Spun to Run, Midcourt, McKinzie.

Older Dirt Females

1.  Midnight Bisou – Was simply outstanding in her Saudi Cup run. The result opens new doors for the daughter of Midnight Lute. She's back in the U.S. with a multitude of options now on the table.

2.  Lady Apple - A wide gap separates her and Midnight Bisou. She started the season off with a win in the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) while defeating her rivals from last season, Serengeti Empress and Street Band. Look for her to go favored in Saturday's Azeri (G2) at Oaklawn.

3.  Serengeti Empress - She followed her strong third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Distaff by just fading from the pace in the Houston Ladies Classic. A real threat around two turns and also sprinting. Will run again in the Azeri.

4.  Dunbar Road - Last year's Alabama Stakes (G1) winner, excelling over various distances, should contend for the top spot this season. She's back in training with Chad Brown in Florida and is targeting a return in the La Troienne (G1) on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

5.  Come Dancing – Was great sprinting last year but also showed she could run longer, as evidenced by her runner-up finish to Midnight Bisou in the Ogden Phipps (G1) on Belmont day. Look for her in the Derby City Distaff (G1), formerly the Humana Distaff, on Kentucky Derby day.

Next 5:  Guarana, Street Band, Ollie's Candy, Go Google Yourself, Pink Sands.

 
3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Tiz the Law - Was flattered by Ete Indien's runaway win in the Fountain of Youth (G2). Remember, Tiz the Law defeated that rival by three lengths in the Holy Bull (G3) in his season debut in early February. The only knock I have on him is that he will run just twice in 2020 before the Kentucky Derby.

2.  Authentic - Unbeaten in three career starts, he was sensational in last weekend's San Felipe (G2), beating a strong field that included the runner-up, Honor A. P., who was making his season debut. These two will hookup again in the Santa Anita Derby.

3.  Nadal - I may have him ranked a bit high after his first stakes win, but I really feel like this guy is for real. He should relish the longer distances after the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2), and with only two starts in his career, I like the decision to ship him to Arkansas for Saturday's Rebel (G2).

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.

5.  Ete Indien - Romped by more than eight lengths in wire-to-wire fashion in the Fountain of Youth for his first stakes win. Still think he may end up better on the grass, but he will try Tiz the Law again in the Florida Derby for his next start.

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

3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Finite - Overpowered champion British Idiom and the rest of the field in the Rachel Alexandra (G2). The Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) is likely next with entries due Saturday.

2.  Donna Veloce - Big things were expected this year from the daughter of Uncle Mo, and she certainly delivered in his first start of 2020. In winning the Santa Ysabel (G3) by more than four lengths, she served notice that she will be a major Kentucky Oaks contender.

3.  British Idiom - Sure, it was her first start since last fall, but she never threatened Finite, and I don't believe the result changes if they meet again in their next starts. May re-route to Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (G1) for her next start.

4.  Venetian Harbor - Won the Las Virgenes (G2) by more than nine lengths in her stakes debut and could be something special. Connections will ship her east to Kentucky for the Ashland next. It offers more money and Grade 1 prestige with the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) downgraded this season.

5.  Tonalist's Shape - With her Davona Dale (G2) win at Gulfstream, this filly is 5-for-5. Will be interesting to see how she handles more competition once outside of South Florida.

Next 5: Perfect Alibi, Wicked Whisper, Frank's Rockette, Inspiressa, Harvey's Lil Goil.

Turf Males

1.  Zulu Alpha - Followed up his Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) win with a victory in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream. Deserves this spot right now, but I feel like there are others who will contend once this division heats up.

2.  Annals of Time - The Sword Dancer (G1) winner last year, he could be the one to beat in this division for Bricks and Mortar's connections if he stays healthy.

3.  United - Almost pulled off a shocking upset in the Breeders' Cup Turf, losing to the eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar by a head. Then won the San Marcos (G2) to get his 2020 season underway. Will go next in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on World Cup night.

4.  Sadler’s Joy – This 8-year-old almost always comes with his patented late run and was a closing third in the Mac Diarmida.

5.  Arklow - Winner of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont Park last fall, he disappointed in the Pegasus World Cup Turf when fifth.

Next 5: Instilled Regard, Bowies Hero, Mo Forza, River Boyne, Admission Office.

Turf Females

1.  Uni – Not much separates this one and Sistercharlie. Her first big target of 2020 looks like the Just a Game (G1) on Belmont Day. Uni returned to the work tab this week for Chad Brown.

2.  Sistercharlie – Has only lost one race since June of 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. In the meantime, 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 weekend but was just edged at the wire by Rover Boyne in the Frank E. 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 wins as she won her third race already this season in last weekend's Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs. Don't count her out of this deep division.
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. Will head back to the turf now.

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

Male Sprinters

1.  Firenze Fire – Like Maximum Security, questions now surround his future. Owner Ron Lombardi has stated he will send Firenze Fire to the Carter, where he will be, at the least, a sentimental favorite.

2.  Mind Control - Started off 2020 with a win in the Toboggan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. And last weekend he looked beaten in the stretch but put in a spectacular stretch run to win the Tom Fool (G3) at Aqueduct. He too is bound for the Carter.

3.  Whitmore - Got back in the win column last weekend in the Hot Springs at Oaklawn. The Count Fleet Sprint (G3) on April 11 will be next for this 7-year-old gelding.

4.  Shancelot - Previously trained by the now indicted Jorge Navarro, his future is also up in the air.

5.  Imperial Hint – Now age 7, he was never involved in the Saudia Sprint finishing in 12th. Has faltered as the favorite in his last two starts. May have lost a step but will get another shot in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).

Next 5: New York Central, Cistron, Bobby's Wicked One, Flagstaff, Share the Upside.

 
Female Sprinters

1.  Come Dancing – Inherits the top spot here after the recent and sudden retirement of Covfefe. We'll see what kind Come Dancing can be later this season.

2.  Hard Not to Love - Covfefe leaves 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. Five for six in her career, she could move to No. 1 with a win in Saturday's Beholder (G1) at Santa Anita.

3.  Serengeti Empress - She was second to Covfefe sprinting in the Test (G1) last summer at Saratoga. This spring at Oaklawn Park it looks like she'll run around two turns.

4.  Mia Mischief - A Grade 1 winner from last year, she hasn't run since her win in the Dream Supreme Stakes last fall. Back on the work tab for her new owner, Stonestreet Stables, she is at the Fair Grounds and remains with Steve Asmussen.

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, Royal Charlotte, Break Even, Hotshot Anna.