Division Rankings: Starship Jubilee blasting off at age 7

In most years, the three stakes races that Starship Jubilee has already won this year would be enough for her to be on top of the Turf Female division. But with two champions returning, 2020 is no ordinary year.

Sistercharlie, the 2018 Eclipse winner, is back for another season of racing. She narrowly lost the Eclipse last season to Uni, the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner. Uni is also back in training with trainer Chad Brown. And what about Got Stormy? She didn’t win the Eclipse last year but was stellar, beating the boys in the Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga and finished runner-up to Uni in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

This leads me to Starship Jubilee, who has received little attention thus far this season. Now age 7, the daughter of Indy Wind is trained by Kevin Attard. For Attard, this is the best horse he has trained by quite a margin.

Starship Jubliee started her career off at age 3 and since then has racked up 35 starts, winning 17 times. She could have been claimed several times early in her career, with a 2017 claim helping set this course.

After racking up a few wins against optional claimers for Attard, she was entered in the Nassau Stakes (G2) at Woodbine and promptly upset the field at 10-1. Since then, Starship Jubilee has mostly run in graded stakes, performing admirably.

Her career trajectory, though, reached a new high last year. Starting seven times she was never off the board, but it was the level of competition that caught the eye. She raised her game to win the E. P. Taylor (G1) last fall, also at Woodbine

This year she looks even better, sweeping to wins with varying running styles. It was going wire-to-wire in her season debut in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf before come-from-behind wins in her last two wins, the Suwannee River (G3) and the Hillsborough (G2).

“She’s getting better with age, just like a fine wine, a woman coming into herself,” Attard said after the Hillsborough. “She’s 7 but she’s been healthy, and I think it’s great for the sport when you see an older horse like her staying around and running at a top level.

“She has a strong following; every time she wins I get messages from everywhere and it’s just nice to see people appreciate what she brings each time she runs. She’s been a real Cinderella story and has exceeded expectations, obviously.”

The highest I can rank her right now is No. 4, but that is no insult given who's above her. If Starship Jubilee stays healthy, she will have every chance to prove her worth against the division's big guns later this year.

With that, a closer look at this week's Division Rankings... 

Older Dirt Males

1.  Maximum Security - His future is uncertain in light of the recent indictments against former trainer Jason Servis. 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. He likely won't run again until the summer.

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. Freeze - 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 skipping the Godolphin Mile (G2).

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 no plans set for a next start.

2.  Serengeti Empress - Overpowered the Azeri (G1) field last weekend, soundly defeating Lady Apple and Streed Band, among others. Whether it is one turn or two turns, she will be a major player in any race she is entered.

3.  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.

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 was targeting a return in the La Troienne (G1) on May 1 at Churchill Downs until that event was postponed.

5.  Lady Apple - Was never factor in the Azeri, but I am keeping her her in the top five. I will chalk up her poor showing to the off track. Previously to the Azeri she defeated Serengeti Empress in the Houston Ladies Classic (G3)

Next 5:  Guarana, Street Band, Ce Ce, 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. With the Kentucky Derby moved to September, this division is in uncharted waters.

2.  Authentic - Unbeaten in three career starts, he was sensational in last start, the San Felipe (G2), beating a strong field that included the runner-up, Honor A. P., who was making his season debut. 

3.  Nadal - Was ranked this high in previous weeks because I felt he was the real deal and he proved that last weekend in the Rebel (G2). Now 3-for-3, he'll be in no rush to run again with the Derby delayed.

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. The Florida Derby (G1) and a rematch with Tiz the Law is expected next.

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). She'll look to make it six straight wins in Saturday's Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).

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. Was supposed to make Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (G1) her next start. Now, Oaklawn's Fantasy (G3) is on the table.

4.  Venetian Harbor - Won the Las Virgenes (G2) by more than nine lengths in her stakes debut and could be something special. Connections had the Ashland penciled in next but will have to regroup, with the Fantasy an option for her, too.

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. Still not back on the work tab.

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. Recent works show he's nearing another race, but now there's no Keeneland stakes to enter.

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 looked like the Just a Game (G1) on Belmont Stakes day. It's unknown when that race will run.

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 two weeks ago 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 Tampa Bay Downs' Hillsborough (G2). If not for the trio of stars on top of this division, she would be the one people would be talking about. 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. She could resurface on Dubai World Cup night.

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

Male Sprinters

1.  Firenze Fire – Like Maximum Security, questions now surround this former Servis rainee's future. But, like Maximum Security, he still occupies the No. 1 spot in his respective division. I still believe this horse is as good as he has run but no one will know the real truth until he runs again, possibly in the Carter (G1) at Aqueduct..

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

3.  Whitmore - Got back in the win column two weeks ago in the Hot Springs at Oaklawn. That makes the Count Fleet Sprint (G3) next on April 11 at Oaklawn Park.

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 and then tried to stretch out to a mile in last weekend's Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita, where she was runner-up to Ce Ce. Will probably shorten back up to sprint in her next start.

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 - Supposed to make her first start of the season this Friday at Oaklawn. A Grade 1 winner from last year, she hasn't run since her win in Churchill Downs' Dream Supreme Stakes last fall.

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.