Division Rankings: 9-year-old ageless wonder gets the spotlight

One of my favorite things about writing this column each week is that I never know which horse or division will catch my attention enough to write about.

It could be a horse ranked No. 10 in a sprint division or the most popular horse in training at the time.

This early in the season, with many stars still on the sidelines and a plethora of big Grade 1 events still on the horizon, there is ample opportunity to shine the spotlight on a horse who, while ranked below, might get lost later this season when most stars are back in action.

Enter the 9-year-old gelding Rated R Superstar, who last week won the Grade 3 Essex Handicap in his 59th career start.

With most his age are well into retirement, Rated R Superstar is in the best form of his long career.

Before I get into some remarkable facts surrounding this son of Kodiak Kowboy, let's take a look at this week's updated Division Rankings.

As an added bonus this week, check out the monthly Division Rankings show below, where this time around we were joined by Horse Racing Nation's own Ed DeRosa.

Older dirt males

1. Life Is Good. Will get tested this weekend in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup from an experienced and tough foe, the No. 3-ranked Hot Rod Charlie. In his last start he followed up a Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile win with a Pegasus World Cup (G1) win.

2. Express Train. Now 2-for-2 on the season, this guy is in the best form of his career. He finally broke through in a Grade 1, winning the Santa Anita Handicap. A winner of three in a row, he defeated Hot Rod Charlie in late December as well. Will point to the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in late May for his next start.

3. Hot Rod Charlie. Was superb in his prep in Dubai for the upcoming World Cup. Started eight times in 2021, five times in a Grade 1, and ran his heart out each time. Can move to the top of the division with a win this weekend.

4. Country Grammer. Sensational in the Saudi Cup (G1), his first start in nine months. Will also try the Dubai World Cup, but remember who beat him in the Saudi Cup, a big long shot. Might be a bit of an underlay this weekend.

5. Midnight Bourbon Hasn't won in over a year, but he keeps showing up and running well in the biggest events. Briefly looked like a winner in the Saudi Cup stretch, settling for third. He too will run in the Dubai World Cup but it's tough for me to make a case for him to win. Use underneath.

Next 5: Warrant, Mandaloun, Olympiad, Stilleto Boy, Rated R Superstar.

Older dirt females

1. Letruska. Looked good in her return to the races, a three-length win in the Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream. Refreshed and ready for 2022, she will target the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn for her next start.

2. As Times Goes By. On a roll now, a winner of her last three starts, two of which were this season. She added the Beholder Mile (G1) to her resume last week. Deserves this spot based on her record thus far.

3. Ce Ce. Defeated a strong field in the Azeri (G2) last time out; Pauline's Pearl and Shedaresthedevil were second and third, respectively. Still believe she will end up back sprinting, as she will find the going tough at nine furlongs.

4. Shedaresthedevil. Returned in the Azeri and ran OK when finishing third to Ce Ce. Will run in the Apple Blossom next.

5. Clairiere. Solid in her comeback, albeit in an allowance. Previously she ran a very nice race against a tough field in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, where it briefly looked like she would win. Instead, she settled for a close fourth, 3/4 of a length from the winner.

Next 5: Pauline's Pearl, Malathaat, Bonny South, Search Results, Lady Rocket.

3-year-old males

1. Forbidden Kingdom. The San Felipe (G2) winner was super impressive, so much so that I vaulted him straight to this spot for several reasons, mainly because I think he is better than the others below right now. Ran super-fast fractions in the San Felipe and had more than enough in the tank in the stretch. I don't think distance will be a problem moving forward, and he has Richard Mandella as his trainer, who is due for some Kentucky Derby glory. The Santa Anita Derby (G1) in early April is next.
2. Messier. He ran the fastest race speed-figure-wise, by far, of any 3-year-old. Winning by 15 in the Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita, it will be interesting to see how he runs next out. I'm not a believer just yet, but the No. 2 spot is his for now. The Santa Anita Derby is assumed to be next, but don't be surprised to see him ship east for his final Kentucky Derby prep pending a possible trainer switch.
3. Epicenter. Certainly was impressive in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), beating a strong field. Now 3-for-5 on his career and will be favored in this weekend's Louisiana Derby (G2).
4. White Abarrio. He too has to be ranked here based on his impressive win in the Holy Bull (G3) over a few ranked below. Now 3-for-4 on his career, connections will wait until the Florida Derby (G1) for his next start.
5. Simplification. Won his first graded stakes in the Fountain of Youth (G2); still not convinced he is a viable Kentucky Derby contender. Will be among the favorites in the Florida Derby.
Next 8: Smile Happy, Classic Causeway, Zandon, Mo Donegal, Morello, Major General, Call Me Midnight, Early Voting.
3-year-old females

1. Secret Oath. A different horse now at age 3 than she was at age 2. She was dominant again in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn. Connections have decided to take on on males in the Arkansas Derby (G1) for her next start. Not a good idea, in my opinion – she still has much to prove in her own division, but given that the Arkansas Derby is coming up extremely light, perhaps she can contend.
2. Echo Zulu. Will make her much anticipated 3-year-old debut in this weekend's Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Beware: Although she was dominant at age 2, she is no cinch to produce that same form at age 3. Remember Vequist from a year ago. Will be interesting to see how she runs.
3. Adare Manor. Dominant in her last two starts, she won her graded-stakes debut, the Las Virgenes (G3), by 13 lengths. To be fair, she beat only three others in that race, but her future looks bright.

4. Juju's Map. Ran well in the Breeders' Cup but was second best to Echo Zulu. Previously she was the winner of the Alcibiades (G1) as the favorite at Keeneland after breaking her maiden at Ellis Park. Finally had her first work of 2022.
5. Eda. A Grade 1 winner at age 2, she started 2022 off on a winning note with her score in the Santa Ysabel (G2) at Santa Anita.
Next 5: Ain't Easy, Tarabi, Under the Stars, Kathleen O., Happy Soul.

Turf males

1. Colonel Liam. Ran huge in defending his Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and seemed better than ever despite his long layoff. Deserves the top spot for now, mainly because he has run once already this season while some of the others below have not. He will run in the Dubai Turf in this weekend.

2. Domestic Spending. Had to scratch out of the Breeders' Cup because of injury. Will be back this season with hopes that he runs more than the three times we saw him in 2021.

3. Smooth Like Strait. It was this guy who ran the best of the U.S.-based grass horses in the two major Breeders' Cup grass races last fall. His runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile summed up his entire season – tough as nails and always runs his race. Will be back this season.

4. Golden Pal. It has been a long time since I ranked a turf sprinter this high, but he deserves it. He ran only four times in 2021, winning three of them. But his Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint was a thing of beauty, dominating from start to finish to post an easy win. Back working, he will run on Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs.

5. Hit the Road. Ran poorly in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) in his 2022 debut, but this guy was very good last season, winning a Grade 1 and knocking heads with Smooth Like Strait in a few races. I might have him ranked high here, but I feel like he is in the top tier of this division when right.

Next 5: Count Again, United, Never Surprised, Gufo, Friar's Road.

Turf females

1. War Like Goddess. Tough-luck loser of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, she is still tops in this division. A winner of four graded stakes in 2021, including the Flower Bowl (G1) at Belmont Park. The clear leader of this division heading into this season, despite her being robbed of an Eclipse.

2. Going Global. Won six graded stakes last season as a 3-year-old filly. Hasn't left her home state of California since arriving in this country in late 2020 but will have to if she aims to contend for an Eclipse this season.

3. Shantisara. Winner of three stakes in a row – and her last, the Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Keeneland, was a powerhouse performance where she won by five. Trainer Chad Brown might have himself another star.

4. Regal Glory. Ran big in winning in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3); previously she won the Matriarch (G1), beating Princess Grace. Will run next in the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland.

5. Princess Grace. Was on a four-race winning streak, all graded stakes. But in her last two, she was third to Going Global in the Goldikova (G2) and third to Regal Glory in the Matriarch (G1) last out. Close for this spot, with Zofelle right behind.

Next 5: Zofelle, Leggs Galore, Going to Vegas, Luck, Technical Analysis.

Male sprinters

1. Jackie's Warrior. The Eclipse winner from last season, this guy ran a full schedule and ran hard every time. Didn't fire his best shot in the Breeders' Cup, but to be fair, the long season and cross-country trip probably had something to do with that. He deserves this spot over all others, including Flightline, for now. Working again, he should make it back to the races in the spring.

2. Flightline. Super impressive in his Malibu (G1) win, defeating Dr. Schivel, among others. Still, he has only one stakes start and doesn't seem capable of running a full schedule, given his three career starts spanning eight months. His connections have stated he will run only four times in 2022 if he stays healthy. With his next start in question, still lots of questions to be answered by this son of Tapit.

3. Dr. Schivel. Disappointed in the Malibu, but given what he did in 2021, he deserves this spot. Will be back this weekend in Dubai in the Golden Shaheen. (G1).

4. Aloha West. The Breeders' Cup Sprint winner closed stoutly in the stretch to win by a nose. Still, the Breeders' Cup was his first graded-stakes win. He has to show me a lot more to move up here.

5. Following Sea. Ran well last out in the Cigar Mile (G1), finishing runner-up to Americanrevolution. Prior to that, the Vosburgh (G2) winner ran very well in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, finishing third.

Next 5: Golden Pal, Cezanne, Special Reserve, Essential Wager, Baby Yoda.

Female sprinters

1. Edgeway. Last season's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up is 2-for-2 on the season, her last win coming in the Las Flores (G3) at Santa Anita.

2. Merneith. Won the Santa Monica (G2) in her last start, but previous to that she was second best to Edgeway, which is why she is here at No. 2.

3. Ce Ce. Last season's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner was beaten by Merneith in her first start of 2022, the Santa Monica at Santa Anita. Last time out she stretched out to win the Azeri at 8.5 furlongs. 

4. Bell's the One. On the work tab but hasn't run yet this season. Last season she was a four-time stakes winner, two of which were graded.

5. Obligatory. Last year at age 3 she tried the best in her division in several Grade 1 events. She looks to be better sprinting, and last time out won the Hurricane Bertie (G3) by three lengths.

Next 5: Fille d'Esprit, Kiss the Girl, Kalypso, Private Mission, Four Graces

In becoming the oldest horse to win Oaklawn's Essex Handicap last weekend, Rated R Superstar certainly was the star of the weekend – in this country, at least. 

The Essex, run since 1948 at Oaklawn, was won by Rated R Superstar in 2019 as well, and last weekend's win was the sixth stakes win of his career.  Remarkably, half of those have been won in the last seven months.

Let's turn the clock and go way back to 2015, the year of American Pharoah. Rated R Superstar was a 2-year-old and a very good 2-year-old. He ran well when third in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and was unplaced in Nyquist's Breeders' Cup Juvenile win.

At age 3 he ran nine times, with mixed results, but he did win the Carry Back (G3) at Gulfstream. His worst seasons were at age 4 and 7, when he went winless in 16 starts. In between those seasons, he was a regular at the Oaklawn winter meet with some success, and he did win the Ben Ali (G3) at Keeneland in 2018.

But things have looked up for Rated R Superstar since he was claimed as an 8-year-old in January of 2021 by his current connections. 

Since that claim, he has started 11 times and has been off the board only three times, posting a 4-3-1 record. His career earnings now are at more than $1.5 million, over half of that has been earned since that claim.

Since Rated R Superstar made his racing debut in July 2015, he has rarely skipped a beat. His longest break from the races was 7 months between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Last season, he ran in every month from January to September. All told, he has run at 13 racetracks over the last eight seasons.

I never envisioned writing about Rated R Superstar but am happy to do so this week. He deserves to be written about.

The Oaklawn Handicap (G2), at 1 1/8 miles, carries a $1 million purse and is set for April 23 and Rated R Superstar will run there next. The odds are against him winning that track's signature event for older horses, but don't sell Rated R Superstar short.

Having run at Oaklawn 21 times in his career, I can guarantee you that the majority of the locals who have come to love this venerable old gelding will be firmly in his corner when they turn for home. And you know what? I will be too.