HRN Division Rankings: It's time to talk 2-year-olds

The 2-year-olds took center stage over Labor Day weekend across four Grade 1 events, and they're also debuting in this week's Division Rankings.

On the female side, Sippican Harbor proved that her 17-length maiden win earlier in the Saratoga meet was no fluke. She had no problem stepping right into the Spinaway to defeat 10 rivals. Trained by Gary Contessa, this daughter of Orb is expected to now train up to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Out West in the Del Mar Debutante, it was Bellafina winning her second stakes race of the meet as she easily defeated four others. Bellafina had previously won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes in early August. The time was a bit on the slow side, but the daughter of Quality Road has done little else wrong.

On the male side of things, our number No. 1-ranked colt, Instagrand, sat out the Del Mar Futurity to instead point for the Grade 1 American Pharoah, formerly the FrontRunner, in what will be his final start before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Instagrand's absence left the highly regarded Roadster as the horse to beat -- and he was by stablemate Game Winner. Coming back just 16 days after his impressive debut, the Bob Baffert trainee scored an impressive come-from-behind win. The Candy Ride colt should get even better as the distances get longer.

Each of Game Winner, Roadster and Rowayton, who looked like a Del Mar Futurity winner turning for home but settled for the place, could also target the American Pharoah set for Sept. 29 at Santa Anita Park.

Also Give Mind Control credit. While sent off at 10-1 in Saratoga's Hopeful, his victory was no fluke. Following a maiden win at Monmouth Park, Mind Control took early pressure from Nitrous for the first half mile and then had to deal with the favorite, Mucho, who was seemingly in perfect position turning for home. Mind Control never gave in and won by three-quarters of a length on closing day at the Spa.

Given all that, here is an updated look at HRN's Division Rankings: 

Older Dirt Males

Yoshida make a big splash with his Grade 1 Woodward win, his first start in the dirt. What does it mean? Tough to gauge considering the field he faced was one of the weaker Woodward fields in memory.

1.  Accelerate – The 2018 version of Accelerate is a bona fide star and, yes, a Horse of the Year contender.

2.  Diversify – Will have to settle for second-best in this division right now. He runs next in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont.

3.  Catalina Cruiser – Unbeaten and has the makings of a superstar. Will likely be the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

4.  Mind Your Biscuits – Ran a nice race in the Grade 1 Whitney to finish second stretching out. He'll go next in Churchill Downs' Grade 3 Lukas Classic and could run in any of the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Dirt Mile or Classic.

5.  West Coast – Hasn’t run since Dubai, but has a pair of second-place finishes in the two biggest older male dirt races this year. Back on the work tab and could still make the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Next 4: City of Light, Yoshida, Pavel, Gunnevera, Thunder Snow.

Older Dirt Females

1.  Abel Tasman – The Personal Ensign marked the fourth time she has shipped cross-country to New York from her home base in California to win a Grade 1. She is on track for another Eclipse Award. 

2.  Elate – Ran her heart out in the Personal Ensign, but Abel Tasman was too good. Will likely get one more start before the Breeders’ Cup Distaff -- or Classic -- are in play.

3.  Salty – Finally was able to defeat her rival, Abel Tasman, in the La Troienne back on Derby weekend. Missed the Ogden Phipps due to injury. 

4.  Fault – The Grade 1 winner was injured while training. She was 3-for-3 on the season, and her racing future is up in the air as she'll be offered at auction in November.

5.  Wow Cat – The Chilean star was no match for the top two in the Personal Ensign, but was best of the rest.

Next 5: Blue Prize, Unbridled Mo, Martini Glass, La Force, Ivy Bell.

3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Justify – Now retired, he will win the Eclipse as the top 3-year-old male, but the Horse of the Year is by no means a lock with Monomoy Girl and Accelerate on a tear right now. 

2.  Catholic Boy – It takes a very special horse to win Grade 1 races on the turf and dirt. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is now the next major target, and he could train up to the race.

3.  Good Magic – I won’t get down on him because of his Travers effort. Ten furlongs may not be his best distance, but he is still among the best of the 3-year-olds. He's getting a break.

4.  Audible – The Florida Derby winner has been taken out of training and won't run again until closer to the end of the year.

5.  Hofburg – Missed the Travers with a fever. Still has much to prove. Look for him to appear in the Pennsylvania Derby this September.

Next 5: Bravazo, Vino Rosso, McKinzie, Axelrod, Mendelssohn.  

3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Monomoy Girl – There are real scenarios out there for her to garner Horse of the Year support with four straight Grade 1s under her belt already. The Grade 1 Cotillion in September is next. 

2.  Midnight Bisou – Didn’t appear to relish the 10 furlongs of the Grade 1 Alabama while finishing third to Eskimo Kisses. She has the second best resume in her class.

3.  Dream Tree - This unbeaten filly will be the next one to try and knock off Monomoy Girl. Very impressive Prioress win off a long layoff. Could go next in the Cotillion.

4.  Wonder Gadot – Was in too deep in the Travers. She will be fine when back against her own division, also possibly in the Cotillion. 

5.  Eskimo Kisses – Finally broke through with an impressive win in the Grade 1 Alabama going last to first. Will run once more before the Breeders’ Cup, in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland. 

Next 5: Red Ruby, Talk Veuve to Me, Road to Victory, My Miss Lilly, Chocolate Martini.

Turf Males

1.  Robert Bruce – Was much the best in the Arlington Million and will now chart a path to the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is likely next.

2.  Almanaar – The Arlington Million runner-up was game in defeat, and perhaps was a bit short for the race having only run once in 18 months going in. Should move more forward off that effort. 
 
3.  Glorious Empire – At age 7, this guy is in the best form of his career. The Sword Dancer marked his second straight graded stakes score, and his first Grade 1.

4.  Heart to Heart – He didn't show in his last start, but that was over "good" turf, and he has done enough this year to stay in the Top 5.

5.  Spring Quality – The Manhattan winner could only muster a third in the Sword Dancer.

Next 5: Channel Maker, Yoshida, Divisidero, Hi Happy, Qurbaan.

Turf Females

1.  Sistercharlie – Cemented her hold on this spot with a determined Grade 1 Beverly D. win.

2.  Fourstar Crook – The tough-luck loser in the Beverly D. Has been beaten twice this season by her rival. 

3.  A Raving Beauty– Didn’t fire when fourth in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa on Travers day.

4.  Ultra Brat – Her last two starts have been very good. She was a hard-luck Diana loser when Sistercharlie changed leads late and surged at the wire.

5.  Daddys Lil Darling – Consistent filly is always there at the finish.

Next 5:  Proctor’s Ledge, Off Limits, Quidura, Santa Monica, Rushing Fall.

Male Sprinters

1.  Imperial Hint – “Wow” is the only word to describe his Grade 1 Vanderbilt win. He took over the top spot because he has done of the most as of late. 

2.  X Y Jet – Easily took care of business in the Smile Sprint, his first start since Dubai. A real threat for the top spot here in the coming weeks.

3.  Roy H – Has lost two straight since his win in February. His next race should be the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs on Oct. 6.

4.  Mind Your Biscuits – Ran big again in the Whitney, and likely will not be sprinting again this year as his connections re considering another route race as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

5.  City of Light – Off 90 days, he returned to sprint races and was beaten by Whitmore in the Grade 1 Forego. Look for better in his next start.

Next 5: Promises Fulfilled, Whitmore, Limousine Liberal, Ransom the Moon, CZ Rocket.

Female Sprinters 

1.  Selcourt – Was flattered with Marley’s Freedom's win in the Grade 1 Ballerina. She handed Marley’s Freedom her last loss back in March, but will need to be on top her game this fall if and when they meet again. 

2.  Marley’s Freedom – Dominant win in the Ballerina in her first cross-country trip as she handled the best sprinters in the East. She's been on fire since transferred to Bob Baffert.

3.  Lewis Bay – Had every chance at the top of the stretch in the Ballerina, but was no match for Marley’s Freedom.

4.  Finley'sluckycharm – Did not run well on a sensible lead in the Ballerina. Her last two starts at seven furlongs resulted in off the board finishes.

5.  American Gal – Never really showed any interest after breaking poorly in the Bed o' Roses when last of five. Still one of the top female sprinters around.

Next 5: Skye Diamonds, Ivy Bell, Ami’s Mesa, Miss Sunset, Separationofpowers.

2-Year-Old Males

1.  Instagrand – So far has looked like a monster, winning his two starts by a combined 20 1/4 lengths. Will be interesting to see how he does around two turns in his next start.

2.  Game Winner – Looked good closing at Del Mar, and seems like he could give the top one all he could handle when they meet in their next start.

3.  Mind Control – The 10-1 shot ran a deceivingly strong race in the Hopeful.

4.  Mucho – Was simply second best as the favorite in the Hopeful. Should be better around two turns.   

5.  Rowayton – May be better sprinting, still ran well at Del Mar.

Next 5: Complexity, Ahead of Plan, Endorsed, Call Paul, Trophy Chaser.

2-Year-Old Females

1.  Bellafina – She won both of her stakes starts at Del Mar and sits on top of a wide-open division right now.

2.  Sippican Harbor – The Grade 1 Spinaway winner should get better as she goes longer.

3.  Mother Mother – She ran a clear second to our top one at Del Mar.

4.  Restless Rider – The previous stakes winner made a nice come-from-behind effort in the Spinaway.

5.  Feedback – I don’t normally like to place maiden winners this high, but she could be any kind.

Next 5: Der Lu, Chasing Yesterday, Del Mar May, Brill, Cassies Dreamer.