Division Rankings: Open Classic chase gains Preservationist

With his win in the Woodward Stakes (G1) last weekend, Preservationist became the latest to join the growing cast of horses who will converge in a wide-open renewal of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

McKinzie, the current No. 2-ranked older dirt male on this list, but the No. 1 horse in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings, has finished worse than second only one time. But that one time was an 11th in last year’s Classic. Further, many are skeptical at his chances at the distance. Remember, though, he was only beaten a nose going 10 furlongs this season in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Preservationist, meanwhile, certainly proved he can beat the second-tier horses in his division. But can he be competitive shipping across the country to take on all comers, including improving 3-year-olds? Until Preservationist won last Saturday's Woodward, I wasn't really taking him seriously as a contender.

A closer look at his other graded win in the Suburban (G2), however, proves a point. Preservationist easily defeated Catholic Boy that day, but what impressed me most in that victory was how he handled the distance. The mile and a quarter might be where Preservationist is best.

Before the Woodward, we knew the older dirt male division was chaotic. It’s September, and still there has been no horse able to garner more than one Grade 1 win around two turns.

The same cannot be said about the 3-year-olds. Maximum Security is clearly the one to beat. Don’t just take my word for it. Trainer Bob Baffert said the same this week when discussing his Pennsylvania Derby (G1) prospects with Horse Racing Nation. The quote, in part: "Maximum Security, he’s still the best."

We know Maximum Security can win at 10 furlongs, and he has showed plenty of heart. In his Kentucky Derby, putting the DQ aside, he ran a remarkable race to not only hold on in the stretch, but pull away. Additionally, horses he beat have come back to run well.

Maximum Security's closest rival in the division, Code of Honor, is headed to the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) to face older. If both win their respective final preps, the Eclipse Award race could be settled in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Remember, though, Maximum Security is already 2-0 against Code of Honor this season if you count the Kentucky Derby...and that will be a decision up to the voters.

Given that, here's a look at this week's rankings.

 
Older Dirt Males

1.  Mitole – Owns a signature win in the Met Mile (G1) over many who are ranked here, and he got back into the winner's circle in the Forego (G1). The Breeders’ Cup is the long-range target with the Dirt Mile or Sprint as options.

2.  McKinzie – Scored the biggest win of his career in the Whitney (G1), which is enough for him to remain near the top of this division. He'll get one more start before an expected run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

3.  Thunder Snow – Was scratched from the Whitney due to an elevated temperature. Shipped back to England, but the Breeders’ Cup Classic remains the long-range goal.

4.  Vino Rosso – The Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1) winner found things a bit tougher in the Whitney when he was a well-beaten third. Scratched from the Woodward, he'll go back to 1 1/4 miles in the  Jockey Club Gold Cup.

5. Preservationist – Proved best in one of the weaker renewals of the Woodward, and before that was off the board in the Whitney to McKinzie and Vino Rosso. Did win the Suburban over Catholic Boy at the Breeders’ Cup Classic distance.

Next 5: Higher Power, Yoshida, Seeking the Soul, Gift Box, Catalina Cruiser.


Older Dirt Females

1.  Midnight Bisou – Had everything against her in the Personal Ensign, as she wasn’t supposed to like the nine furlongs and hadn't performed at Saratoga. But Midnight Bisou still gutted out a sixth straight win. With the Eclipse now most certainly secured, Horse of the Year is in play.

2. Elate – Her record against Midnight Bisou in 2019 fell to 0-3 in the Personal Ensign. She has a stranglehold on the second spot here. Connections may try males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but I’ll go on record now as saying she'd be overmatched. 

3.  She’s a Julie – No match for the top two in the Personal Ensign, but she did edge Wow Cat for the show spot. 

4.  Wow Cat – Disappointed with her fourth-place effort in the Personal Ensign, her first finished off the board effort in 14 career starts.

5.  Blue Prize – After finally breaking through last out with a win in the listed Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga, a defense of Keeneland's Spinaway (G1) is on the radar.

Next 5: Come Dancing, Secret Spice, Escape Clause, Ollie’s Candy, Golden Award.


3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Maximum Security – The Travers Stakes (G1) results only enhanced his position here at the top. He doesn’t seem to get the respect he deserves, crossing the wire first in three Grade 1 events this season.

2.  Code of Honor – The Travers winner remains well behind the leader here in my eyes. Remember, he finished behind Maximum Security both times they met this year and will get just one chance to turn the tables.

3.  Tacitus – Another nice showing in the Travers, but one that left him short of the winner's circle. This time with blinkers on, he showed much more early speed but didn’t have enough left to hold off Code of Honor.

4.  Omaha Beach – Had some bad luck with the throat issues that caused him to scratch from the Derby and miss time. With another setback, he will target the one-turn Ack Ack (G3) against older horses on Sept. 28 at Churchill Downs.

5.  Game Winner – Ran as expected in his Los Alamitos Derby (G3) romp. He missed the Travers, and plans are up in the air.

Next 7: War of Will, Sir Winston, Country House, Mr. Money, Mucho Gusto, Tax, Improbable.


3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Guarana – Passed another test in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), but she had to work for it in the stretch after setting a slow pace. Only three starts into her career, she already has two Grade 1 wins. The Cotillion (G1) at Parx on Sept. 21 is next.

2.  Dunbar Road – With the Alabama (G1) and Mother Goose (G2) wins now on her resume, she could reel in Guarana for the top spot with a win in her next start over older. The Beldame (G2) on Sept. 28 at Belmont or the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 6 could be next.

3.  Serengeti Empress – Was game in a runner-up finish when sprinting in the Test Stakes (G1). Previously, she was simply second best in the Acorn after going extremely fast early.

4.  Point of Honor – Black-Eyed Susan (G2) winner finished well in her runner-up finish to Guarana in the CCA Oaks but was no match for Dunbar Road in the Alabama.

5.  Covfefe – The Test Stakes winner has been super impressive this season in a deep class of female sprinters. She'll prep for the Breeders' Cup in Churchill Downs' Dogwood Stakes.

Next 5: Bellafina, Jaywalk, Street Band, Concrete Rose, Royal Charlotte. 


Turf Males

1.  Bricks and Mortar – With the Eclipse now seemingly sewn up, Horse of the Year is within reach. What path his connections choose for the remainder of the year is still up for debate. Can he compete against Europe’s best at the Breeders' Cup Turf distance?

2.  Robert Bruce – Ran OK when finishing fourth in the Arlington Million (G1), beaten a little over two lengths. Still think he is second best in this division right now, but he's called it a career, retiring to stand at stud in Chile.

3.  Annals of Time – He vaults all the way up to fourth after his Sword Dancer (G1) win over several in the Top 10. Does have some back class with his Hollywood Derby (G1) win back in 2016. 

4.  Arklow – In a division lacking depth, this guy has at least been consistent with placings in his last three graded stakes starts. He'll go for a defense of the Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) on Saturday at Kentucky Downs.

5.  World of Trouble – It will take a monumental effort to defeat this guy sprinting on the lawn, but a setback kept him from competing in Monday's Turf Monster (G3) at Parx.

Next 5: Raging Bull, Channel Cat, Channel Maker, Sadler’s Joy, Acclimate.


Turf Females

1.  Sistercharlie – Is quite simply one of the best turf female stars we have seen in quite a long time. Her course record Beverly D. (G1) win was outstanding, and another Eclipse is in her sights.

2.  Vasilika – Back in the winner’s circle last weekend in the John Mabee Stakes (G2), she won for the fifth time in six starts this year, all of her wins in graded stakes. Headed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at her home track of Santa Anita, she should get one more start beforehand. 

3.  Rushing Fall – Was second best to Sistercharlie in the Diana, and I can’t envision her beating the No. 1 anytime soon. Will go next in the First Lady (G1) at Keeneland on October 5.

4.  Magic Wand – Another runner-up finish to Bricks and Mortar, this time in the Arlington Million. Although she hasn’t won this season, she has finished runner-up to males three times.

5.  Beau Recall – Has been very good this season winning three of her five starts. Her Yellow Ribbon (G2) win over Vasilika was her second graded stakes score.

Next 5: Got Stormy, Rymska, Homerique, Concrete Rose, Cambier Parc.


Male Sprinters

1.  Mitole – Returned to the winners circle in a big way winning the Forego (G1) at Saratoga in stakes-record time. Will likely get one more start before the Breeders’ Cup. With a wide lead in this division, it would be difficult for another to overtake him regardless of how he finishes up the season.

2.  World of Trouble – Previously, his Jaipur (G1) score made him a Grade 1 winner this year on turf and dirt. Now his Breeders’ Cup status is up in the air.

3.  Imperial Hint – Clearly, Saratoga is his favorite track. Won the Vanderbilt for the second year in a row in track-record time for his first win of 2019. He’ll need consistency to advance in this division. He will now target the Vosburgh (G1) at Belmont Park on September 28.

4.  Roy H – Since scratching from the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), he's getting back into the swing of things and is expected to point straight to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

5.  Promises Fulfilled – Really packed it in after being pressed early by Mitole in the Forego when finishing in last place. Still one of the best sprinters in the country, he will look to regroup in Keeneland's Phoenix (G2).

Next 5: Catalina Cruiser, X Y Jet, Cistron, Firenze Fire, Giant Expectations.


Female Sprinters

1.  Marley’s Freedom – A model of consistency the last two seasons, she was back in the winner's circle in the Great Lady M. Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos. Will go next in the L.A. Woman Stakes (G3) on October 5 at Santa Anita.

2.  Come Dancing – Was much the best in the seven-furlong Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga last out defeating Mia Mischief, among others. Is now 3-for-4 on the season with her only loss a runner-up finish to Midnight Bisou.

3.  Covfefe – This 3-year-old filly really stepped up her game in her last out Test Stakes win over the Kentucky Oaks winner, Serengeti Empress

4.  Spiced Perfection – The Madison (G1) winner finished fourth in the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs in May but hasn’t raced since.

5.  Late Night Pow Wow – 12-for-14 on her career, she hasn’t been seen since her win in the Twixt Stakes in mid-July.

Next 5: Mia Mischief, Royal Charlotte, Break Even, Amy’s Challenge, Serengeti Empress.