Division Rankings: Regal Glory can pad her Eclipse resume

The only division left below with any sort of Eclipse debate is the turf female division. With three clear and worthy contenders – War Like Goddess, Regal Glory and In Italian – the vote could swing to any one of them.

All three have won three graded stakes this year, and two of the three have taken turns beating one another. When everything is weighed between the three, this is a very difficult decision.

While War Like Goddess and In Italian are finished racing in 2022. Trainer Chad Brown sends Regal Glory to California in this weekend’s Matriarch in hopes of scoring her third Grade 1 win of the season – the most in this division.

Before I dive in to this debate and the pros and cons for each of these Eclipse contenders, 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, Defunded,Art Collector, Royal Ship, Proxy.

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. Despite his lackluster Clark finish, he stays in this spot. Will get a break now and will be one of the more popular horses in 2023. 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. Will run in the Cigar Mile (G1) this weekend. 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 as her connections will send her to California to run in the Matriarch this weekend. A win there would be her third Grade 1 win this season and could be 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: Arabian Knight, Havnameltdown, Instant Coffee, Curly Jack, 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, Hoosier Philly, Vegas Magic, Shoplifter, Uncontrollable.

Tough to separate

I am well aware how most Eclipse votes play out nowadays. Recency bias runs rampant in horse racing, and the horse who makes the latest big splash usually gets the nod come voting time.

Last year we saw this firsthand in the turf female division when War Like Goddess, the clear leader of the division for the entire season heading into the Breeders' Cup, was denied the Eclipse because of a narrow loss with a questionable ride in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Voters handed the Eclipse to a horse who made only one start on this continent. It was as if the entire body of work for War Like Goddesses was ignored. It was a textbook example of recency bias.

This season, Regal Glory was clearly the best in the division for the first half of the season, but the second half of the season she ran three times without a win, albeit two of those starts came against males.

Let’s go through the resumes for each and weigh their merits for an Eclipse vote. As I write this I am still undecided between the three, and I might still be undecided even if Regal Glory wins this weekend.

War Like Goddess is favored by many to win the award. But if we are being honest, I think many will try to right the wrong from last season by giving her the Eclipse this season. War Like Goddess has one Grade 1 win, but it was a big one, coming against males in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park. Granted, the turf males behind her weren’t the strongest group, but her win was historic as she was the first female to win it since All Along in 1983.

War Like Goddess won two other graded stakes this year, the Bewitch Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and the Glen Falls (G2) at Saratoga. She was also runner-up in the Flower Bowl (G2) at Saratoga, trying to overcome historically slow-paced race where runner-up was a great effort considering the circumstances. In her final race of the season she again tried males, this time in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. She ran well to finish third.

War Like Goddess didn’t run against In Italian or Regal Glory this season and finished with a 5: 3-1-1 record.

In Italian won two Grade 1 races this season, the Diana at Saratoga and the First Lady at Keeneland. He First Lady was notable because she defeated Regal Glory, who was runner-up. Before the Diana win, In Italian was third in the Just a Game (G1) at Belmont, where she was defeated by Regal Glory.

So Regal Glory and In Italian split their head-to-head meetings. In Italian’s other stakes win came in the Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream in March. In Italian ended her season with a strong runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and finished her season with a 7: 4-2-1 record.

Regal Glory started her season in late January by winning the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G3) and then won the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland and that aforementioned Just a Game (G1) at Belmont Park in June.

In August, Regal Glory tried the males in the Fourstardave (G1) and finished second. After her runner-up finish to In Italian in the First Lady (G1), trainer Chad Brown sent Regal Glory to the Breeders’ Cup Mile to try males again. Things didn’t go well, but not as bad as you would think when you read she finished 10th. She was beaten only five lengths, but it’s still a 10th-place finish on her resume.

The first six months of the season should matter just as much as the last six months. With that in mind, Regal Glory is still very much in this Eclipse race, which now leads us to the Matriarch (G1) this weekend.

If Regal Glory gets the job done and wins her third Grade 1 win of the season, will that be enough to tip the scales in her favor? Running January to December – albeit with a break here and there – her resume would be worthy. Regal Glory has a 6: 3-2-0 record this season.

This is a difficult choice, for me anyway.  A win by Regal Glory this weekend will go a long way in swaying some voters her way.