Division rankings: War Like Goddess is at a crossroads

For nearly three years, War Like Goddess has taken her fans on quite a ride.

From her first graded-stakes win in March 2021 at Gulfstream through her latest win in April of this year, War Like Goddess has accomplished a lot in this day and age.

But now War Like Goddess is at a crossroads. Thursday she runs in the Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga, a race she has won the last two seasons. But this year things are a bit different, and a lot is on the line.

Could this be the last time we see War Like Goddess on a race track?

Before I discuss War Like Goddess and her futurem let's take a look at the updated division rankings.

Older dirt males

1. Cody's Wish. Will stretch out to nine panels in this weekend's Whitney (G1), which has come up extremely soft. If he can't get the job done against this group stretching out, he never will. Has to be ranked here for now on the basis of his two Grade 1 wins this season. I write "has to" because he has yet to win a stakes beyond a mile. Cody's Wish is in the same boat that Mitole was in a few years back and Life Is Good last year as far as distance limitations, and it will be tough to secure an Eclipse other than the sprint award unless he can stretch out successfully. No horse has won the Eclipse in this division who hasn’t won at nine furlongs or more since the inception of the awards more than 50 years ago. A long shot, in my opinion, to come out on top here by year's end or even to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

2. West Will Power. The winner of the Stephen Foster (G1), he beat several ranked below. Now 2-for-4 on the season, he appeared to be a major player in this division. Was retired because of injury a few days ago and will be removed from these rankings next week.

3. Rattle N Roll. This guy was very good as a 2-year-old, struggled at the top level last year at age 3, but now has made it all the way back to the top level with three graded-stakes wins this season. Last out his runner-up to West Will Power in the Stephen Foster proved he is for real as it was by far the best field he has faced this season. Could run in the Pacific Classic (G1) next.

4. Smile Happy. Had all sorts of problems last out in the Stephen Foster before the race was even run. He clearly didn't want to run and had to be backed some 200 yards into the gate. Anyone with the horse's well-being in mind who witnessed this fiasco prior to the race had to come away stunned that he wasn't a late scratch. Thankfully, he completed his trip around the Ellis Park oval without any mishaps and finished fifth, beaten a little over five lengths. I will give him a mulligan for this one. Previously he was super impressive on Kentucky Oaks day when winning the Alysheba (G2). He should be a player in this division in races up to nine furlongs. I just can't see him being a serious threat if he is forced to run 10 furlongs.

5. Defunded. Hard-knocking gelding won the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) on Memorial Day but failed as the favorite last week in the San Diego (G2) at 8 1/2 furlongs, which isn't really in his wheelhouse. Two graded-stakes wins this season, he will be back for the Pacific Classic.

Next 5: Art Collector, Stiletto Boy, Last Samurai, Proxy, Hopper

Older dirt females

1. Clairiere. Was beaten with no excuses last out by Nest, but she maintains this top spot because, well, she has actually run in and won several big events this season. What matters in the prior six months matter to me in this sport, and Clairiere has shown up for all of the previous big events this division has had to offer this year, winning two Grade 1 events while Nest has been on the bench.

2. Nest. Ran great in her return to the races last out in the Shuvee (G2), where she got the jump on her rival Clairiere and recorded a facile two-length win. But, unlike others in this business who thrive on hyperbole, she won't take over the top spot just yet. She sat on the bench for the first six plus months of the season while her rival Clairiere has done all the dirty work. So one Grade 2 win doesn't move her to the top. They will meet again in a few weeks in the Personal Ensign (G1), and maybe then she can take over the divisional lead.

3. Adare Manor. Likely the best of the west, this gal has won the Santa Maria (G2) and Santa Margarita (G2) in her last two starts. She is 3-for-4 on the season and a serious threat in this division given that the Breeders' Cup Distaff is at Santa Anita, her home base. Will run this weekend in the Clement Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar

4. Search Results. Turned in a somewhat surprising lackluster effort last week finishing third as the prohibitive favorite in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth Park. Prior to that she was a tough-luck runner-up to Clairiere in the Ogden Phipps (G1).

5. Played Hard. Ran well to be third in the Phipps to Clairiere. Won the La Troienne (G1) in her only other start this season. Off the board only two times in 16 career starts. Skipped the Shuvee but worked Wednesday, and she could start in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga or Locust Grove (G3) in September at Churchill Downs.

Next 5: Secret Oath, A Mo Reay, Fun to Dream, Pauline's Pearl, Shotgun Hottie

3-year-old males

1. Forte. Got the job done in the Jim Dandy (G2) as he got past Saudi Crown at the wire to win by a nose. The race can be summarized very easily. Saudi Crown had everything go his way on the lead over an off track, but Forte ran him down anyway with nothing going his way. Was here at No. 1 prior to the Kentucky Derby and nothing that took place in the Triple Crown events was enough to displace him. Much like Epicenter a year ago, he will now head to the Travers (G1) to cement his lead at the top of the division. 

2. Mage. Ran great when runner-up in the Haskell (G1) after being off since the Preakness nine weeks prior. His resume is starting to get stacked now with four straight Grade 1 placings. Loses nothing in defeat, in my opinion, and should move forward off of that effort. Will run in the Travers next, where he likely will face old rival Forte. It will be a must-win situation for Mage, considering he already is 0-2 against Forte.

3. Geaux Rocket Ride. Debuts here in this spot, and if anything, I think this might be a bit too high. Sure, his Haskell win was impressive, but he faced a horse in Mage who I don't believe was 100 percent. Will bypass the Travers for his next start and instead point to the Pacific Classic (G1) against older, which is a great move and a much tougher spot. A win in the Pacific Classic against older is much bigger than a win in the Travers, which is restricted to his age group.

4. Angel of Empire. Ran very well in the Jim Dandy to finish a close third, affirming his spot here. The Arkansas Derby (G1) winner also was a close third in the Kentucky Derby and looks to be one of the best in this division.

5. Arcangelo. Very impressed with his Belmont win as he had a golden trip up the rail to post a facile win over a strong field. But this was the Belmont, a 12-furlong race that is known to produce out-of-the-box results. Likely will point to the Travers next but wouldn't be favored in a race over any of the above. The Belmont was his second stakes win in five starts. His connections state they either will train up to the Travers or skip it entirely. OK. Skipping multiple big events while others in his division are present and accounted for in said events doesn't bode well for his Eclipse chances.

Next 5: National Treasure, Arabian Lion, Saudi Crown, Practical Move, Disarm

3-year-old females

1. Pretty Mischievous. Took a big lead in this division with her Acorn (G1) win last out. Before that she scored in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She has won the two biggest events that her division has to offer so far this season. She is now 6-for-8 on her career, never finishing off the board. Connections decided to skip the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and the Alabama (G1) and instead to shorten her up and sprint in the Test (G1) this weekend. Risky move and one that could bring her down from this top spot.

2. Wet Paint. Got the job done in the CCA Oaks, defeating four others. With a Grade 1 win finally under her belt, she now can set her sights on leadership of this division in the coming weeks and months. Next stop will be the Alabama (G1), where a win with an absent Pretty Mischievous could move her to the top.

3. Gambling Girl. Well beaten when third as the favorite in the CCA Oaks, losing by more than eight lengths. Prior to that effort she nearly pulled off the Kentucky Oaks upset, losing by a neck. Winless in four starts this season but has placed in two graded stakes.

4. Faiza. Disappointed as the favorite last out in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), where she finished third. The loss snapped a five-race win streak to start her career, and four of those were graded events.

5. Window Shopping. Won the Summertime Oaks (G2) last out defeating The Alys Look, and before that she was third in Faiza's Santa Anita Oaks (G1).

Next 5: Hoosier Philly, Dorth Vader, Sacred Wish, Defining Purpose, Taxed

Turf males

1. Up to the Mark. Was superb last out winning the Manhattan (G1) at Belmont Park, giving him two Grade 1 wins on this season, a rarity for this division the last few years. Do we finally have a grass horse based in the U.S. who can make noise this fall in the Breeders' Cup when the big guns come in from overseas? The jury is out, and he has posted no works since. If we are being honest, the fields he has beaten were suspect, and a few months ago he faced two horses ranked in this top five and was soundly defeated when third in the Makers Mark Mile (G1). So for now this guy will reside here, but there is a long way to go.

2. Exaulted. Since being moved to the grass from the dirt, this guy is 4-for-4. His win in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) was his second graded-stakes victory of the season, and he may very well be the best in this division right now. Bigger things could be in store for this son of Twirling Candy. Won't return until early September in the Del Mar Mile (G2), skipping several big events this summer. Not a fan of this schedule.

3. Modern Games. Fourth at Royal Ascot, he has lost five of his last six overseas. The runner-up in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) earlier this year. This guy won the Eclipse last season and at least has made a start in this country already.

4. Casa Creed. Really impressed last out in the Kelso (G3) at Saratoga, which served as a prep for his next assignment, the Fourstardave (G1) on Aug. 12. Previous to the Kelso he ran well in the Jaipur (G1), finishing a close third to Caravel. Now a 7-year-old, he is in the best form of his career.

5. Chez Pierre. No way around it, he disappointed in the Poker (G3), finishing third last out at Belmont Park. The Poker was only his second loss on the lawn. The Maker's Mark Mile winner will make his next appearance at Saratoga.

Next 5: Emmanuel, Annapolis, Ottoman Fleet, Hong Kong Harry, Spooky Channel

Turf females

1. In Italian. Was stunned last time out, tasting defeat for the first time in over a year to another in this division. Her narrow runner-up finish in the Diana (G1) won't knock her off the top spot here, and that likely will be the last time she runs nine furlongs. Look for her to run shorter for the remainder of the season as she charts a course for a return engagement in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

2. Caravel. This gal is a turf sprinter but she has to occupy this spot now after her win over the boys in the Jaipur (G1) at Belmont Park. She is 3-for-3 this season. Both of her graded-stakes wins this season have come over males. Will face males again this weekend in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.

3. War Like Goddess. The favorite in the New York Stakes (G1), this gal likes to come from far back and, given the ridiculously slow fractions, she was up against it and finished off the board for only the second time in 15 career starts. There was something different about this effort as she has overcome ultra-slow fractions before, and it didn't appear that the spark was there. She was beaten just a little over two lengths in finishing sixth. Big race for her career-wise in the Glens Falls (G2) Thursday at Saratoga.

4. Whitebeam. Upset In Italian in the Diana for her first Grade 1 win and second graded-stakes win overall. Before the Diana she won the Gallorette (G3) on Preakness day at Pimlico.

5. Marketsegmentation. Off the board in the Diana, she previously won the New York Stakes over War Like Goddess.

Next 5: Didia, With the Moonlight, Fluffy Socks, Spendarella, Higher Truth

Male sprinters

1. Elite Power. Three starts this year, and three wins. Last week in the Vanderbilt (G1) he had to overcome a lot at still reeled in Gunite for the win. The best in this division, by a lot, he has stacked his resume through the first seven months of the season with three big graded-stakes wins. Will run next in the Forego (G1) later this month at Saratoga where a win there should lock up the Eclipse. At least it would in the old days. But as we have learned previously, it isn't enough for Eclipse voters who demand wins in the last month or two of the season. Is ranked above Cody's Wish because this guy is the Eclipse winner and hasn't lost since.

2. Cody's Wish. Do we keep him ranked down here with the sprinters? Sure we do. He has one Grade 1 sprint race win this year, the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), and last out he dominated the Met Mile (G1). Will try to stretch out in the Whitney (G1), but just as likely will be back going a mile or less. Because of his connections, we likely will never see the matchup we all want to see, this guy vs. Elite Power going seven furlongs.

3. Gunite. Really ran well in the Vanderbilt and lost a heartbreaker at the wire. But given the race dynamics, if he can't beat Elite Power with that trip, I'm not sure he ever will.

4. Spirit of Makena. Toss out last week's performance in the Bing Crosby (G1) given his horrendous trip where he lost all chance. Still feel he is the best of the West Coast sprinters, he won his previous three starts this season.

5. The Chosen Vron. Won the Bing Crosby last weekend for his eighth straight win, and the previous seven wins were all listed stakes. This California bred gelding loves sprinting, and belongs here for now.

Next 5: Sibelius, Repo Rocks, Doppelganger, Skelly, Strobe

Female sprinters

1. Goodnight Olive. Rebounded from her loss in the Derby City Distaff (G1) with a good win last out in the Bed o' Roses (G2), where she narrowly defeated Wicked Halo. The Eclipse winner from last season started her season with a win in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. Connections now will point her to the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 26. That will be her last start prior to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

2. Echo Zulu. Dominant in two starts this season, she throttled a very good Honorable Miss (G2) field last time out, running off by over seven lengths and earning a top Beyer of 112. That figure is the highest this division has seen in years and ties for the highest in any division this season. The connections are thinking outside of the box and will chart a course for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Yes, the sprint against the males. I think it's just a matter of time before she takes over the top spot here.

3. Wicked Halo. Runner-up again in another huge effort last out in the Bed o' Roses, this time to Goodnight Olive. She is most certainly a serious contender for the Eclipse in this division and appears to be just getting better. Before the Bed o' Roses she was runner-up in the Derby City Distaff to Matareya.

4. Society. Rebounded from a rough start to her season with a 10-length win last out over Matareya in the Chicago Stakes (G3). Previous to that she was ninth in the La Troienne (G1) and third in the Madison (G1). Perhaps she is a player in this division? Not sure. I will side with the Chicago Stakes being an aberration.

5. Matareya. Upset the top one in the Derby City Distaff earlier this year but disappointed when well beaten in the Chicago Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park.

Next 5: Maple Leaf Mel, Frank's Rockette, Fun to Dream, Caramel Swirl, Maryquitecontrary

War Like Goddess is rarity nowadays

War Like Goddess is unique. How often do we see true stone-cold, come-from-behind closers run at the top level and continually get the job done no matter the pace scenario? Not only has War Like Goddess excelled against her own gender, she has defeated males at the highest level. About the only things that have escaped War Like Goddess are an Eclipse, something many feel she was robbed of in 2021, and a Breeders' Cup win, but I digress.

Last time out, War Like Goddess ran an uncharacteristic and dull sixth in the New York Stakes (G1) despite the slow pace, which can often be used as an excuse for a horse with the running style War Like Goddess has. It was a surprising result and left many to wonder, has War Like Goddess finally lost a step midway through her 6-year-old year?

Trainer Bill Mott is concerned, saying recently that he wonder if she has “called it a day” and that once could be an anomaly but two times in a row for a mare at this age could mean the end is near for this daughter of English Channel.

War Like Goddess has been one of my personal favorites, and I’ve seen how the decline in form goes with many past stars, specifically with females where it isn’t gradual but sudden.

So in the Glens Falls the concern is very real. Could this be it for War Like Goddess with a second straight subpar performance? If she finishes off the board again I would not be surprised in the least to see her retired soon after. I certainly hope that her New York Stakes was an anomaly, but the jury is out.

The Glens Falls is at the 12 furlongs War Like Goddess prefers as opposed to the 10 furlongs of the New York Stakes, so that’s a positive. Should she rebound with a win she will move on to another race, but appreciate this gal now. The Eclipse for this season is still within reach after In Italian's recent loss, but War Like Goddess has a lot of work to do to catch up.

First things first, she has to get back into the winners circle at Saratoga, and hopefully her career will conclude with another appearance in a Breeders’ Cup race.