Division Rankings: Pacific Classic has Eclipse implications

This Pacific Classic at Del Mar takes on added significance this weekend as this year’s Breeders’ Cup will also be held at this same Southern California oval.

While Knicks Go sits atop the older dirt male division right now, there will surely be questions for him to answer regarding the 10-furlong distance of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. With that question looming, the Eclipse Award is still ripe for the taking.

There is one horse entered in the Pacific Classic who I feel has a legitimate shot to end up with Eclipse hardware by season's end, but before I dive into that, lets take a look at this week’s updated Division Rankings below. Additionally, you can join me Sunday night for our live Division Rankings show at 7 p.m. EDT. The link to that is also below. 

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. 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.

5. Mystic Guide. The beaten favorite in the Suburban (G2) last out, Mystic Guide is now on the sidelines and will have surgery to remove a chip in his knee. He is out for the season, and his racing future is in doubt. 

Next 5: Royal Ship, By My Standards, Max Player, Idol, Express Train.

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) at the end of August at Saratoga is likely 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. Could be back later this year but until she does return, she is certain to drop from this spot.

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) later this month.

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. 

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

3-year-old males

1. Essential Quality. Don't let the margin of victory fool you, he was much the best in the Jim Dandy a couple weeks back. Will go next in the Travers where he will be the prohibitive favorite to add another graded stakes win to his resume. 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. The Kentucky Derby winner is now working regularly and will turn up in a race very soon. The Shared Belief for 3-year-olds a at Del Mar on August 27 will likely be his next start. 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. No other way to slice it, her loss in the CCA Oaks was not what her connections had envisioned. With only three opponents facing her, she was defeated by the longest shot on the board, Maracuja. Her two Grade 1 wins keep her here for the top spot over Search Results. The Alabama Stakes (G1) this weekend is next, where she will face several ranked below.

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. Look for her to get back to a two-turn race next time out.

3. Crazy Beautiful. Maturing by leaps and bounds, she ran another impressive race in the Delaware Oaks where she simply outclassed the field by over 7 lengths. She was also flattered by Soothsay's Indiana Oaks win as this gal defeated Soothsay in the Summertime Oaks two starts back. Now she is a winner of three graded stakes this year, the most in her division. She may have turned the corner, and will take another shot at Malathaat in this weekend's Alabama at Saratoga.

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. Maracuja. Stunned the leader of the division in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) for her first stakes win. Previous to that she was seventh in Malathaat's Kentucky Oaks. Not sure what to make of her yet, but have to believe the CCA Oaks was a combination of two things, Maracuja getting better now, and Malathaat not quite the world beater many thought she was. She will take over the No. 1 spot if she can beat Malathaat again in this weekend's Alabama.

Next 5: Clairiere, Will's Secret, Obligatory, Zaajel, Army Wife.

Turf males

1. Domestic Spending. Runner-up last weekend 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 get one more start prior to the Breeders' Cup Turf.

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. Smooth Like Strait. Will cut back to his preferred distance this weekend in the Del Mar Mile (G2) and will face an outstanding field that includes Mo Forza and Hit the Road. Last out he was a tough runner-up in the Eddie Read (G2) to United. The Eddie Read is at nine furlongs and this guy excels at a mile, so I won't penalize him that much as he stays here at No. 3. Previously he won the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita, where he went wire to wire. Previous to that win he set the pace in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs and was edged by a neck nearing the wire to finish third. Looks like a serious Breeders' Cup Mile contender down the road and a win this weekend puts his squarely into the Eclipse race.

4. 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.

5. United. Occupying a spot here in the top five for most of last season, this guy ran an impressive race last out in the Eddie Read (G2) defeating a good field. The Eddie Read was his second graded stakes win this season, and this weekend he will try and make it three as he face a deep field in the Del Mar Handicap (G2).

Next 5: Gufo, Hit the Road, Raging Bull, 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.

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.

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. Will be dangerous moving forward, and come Breeders' Cup time.

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. 

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.

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 will head to Saratoga. Now 3-for-3 on the season, she should stick to sprinting, and the Ballerina (G1) in late August will be next. 

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.

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

Join me this weekend in another LIVE Division Rankings show on Sunday at 7 p.m. EDT. You can join in and ask questions or comment about anything related to these rankings. Positive or negative, I would love to know your thoughts.

At first glance, the 7-2 morning line odds given to Royal Ship for this weekend’s Pacific Classic seem like an overlay. Coming off of a puzzling third place finish in Express Train’s San Diego Handicap, many have jumped off of the Royal Ship train, or should I say ship? Anyway, I am still firmly behind this son Midshipman.

Bred in Brazil, Royal Ship was a multiple stakes winner at Hipódromo da Gávea located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brought to the U.S. last season, he made his American debut last August and ran third in the Del Mar Mile Handicap on turf. After three more starts, two on the grass, that yielded minimal success, trainer Richard Mandella tried Royal Ship on the dirt again in the Californian Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Battling Country Grammar in the stretch, Royal Ship out-gamed his rival by a neck following a thrilling stretch duel.

Next out in the Hollywood Gold Cup Royal Ship appeared a certain winner in mid-stretch, but inexplicably lost focus and let Country Grammar pass him. Royal Ship got back into the race, but it was too late, he was edged at the wire by a head.

Now comes the 10-furlong Pacific Classic. I believe the added distance of the Pacific Classic will serve Royal Ship well. Also, with South American imports, it often takes them several races to acclimate to racing in this country. Trainer Richard Mandella is keenly aware of this having trained stars such as Siphon and Sandpit from Brazil, and Gentlemen from Argentina.

With a win in this week’s Pacific Classic Royal Ship will leapfrog several horses in the rankings, and put himself in a position on Breeders’ Cup day to control his own Eclipse destiny. So, don’t discount the importance of this weekend’s Pacific Classic, it is every bit as important as last weekend’s Whitney at Saratoga, and it comes over the same track and distance the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be run.