HRN Division Rankings: A first look at 2018’s leaders

Welcome to the first edition of Horse Racing Nation's 2018 Division Rankings.

This is an early look, of course. I give preference to horses that have started recently. For example, in division such as the Older Dirt Females, the top four or five coming back in 2018 are just too far ahead of the others, even though none have made a start in 2018.

In the 3-Year-Old Male division, Instilled Regard gets a bump because of what he did already in 2018. I felt it was a more impressive effort than what McKinzie showed in his seasonal debut. McKinzie would have taken the No. 5 spot had I gone that deep. The Female Sprinters category will be added in the coming weeks.

Older Dirt Males

1.  West Coast – Showed on Saturday that he has matured nicely, finishing 10 lengths clear of Pegasus World Cup third-place finisher, Gunnevera. The clear leader of this division now with Gun Runner retired.

2.  Sharp Azteca – Just didn’t fire in the Pegasus, but was only beaten three lengths for the show. Will get a break now before returning to the races.

3.  Gunnevera – He has put together a few admirable races in a row now. He will be given every chance this year to try and climb the ladder of this division.

4.  Seeking the Soul – The winner of the Grade 1 Clark in November was hung wide in the first turn of the Pegasus. He ran evenly in the stretch to finish fifth.

Older Dirt Females

1.  Forever Unbridled – Hope to see her race more than two times before the Breeders’ Cup. Classy mare stays on top for now over Abel Tasman.

2.  Abel Tasman – Came very close to catching Forever Unbridled in the Distaff. When she returns, she could quickly gain the top spot in this division.

3.  Paradise Woods – Dual Grade 1 winner showed her class in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Should mature into a force at age four.  

4.  Elate – Picked by many to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last fall, Elate found the going tough but still managed to finish fourth. The Alabama and Beldame winner will have plenty of races to shoot for at her home base of New York
 
3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Bolt d’Oro – Was upset in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Eclipse Awards by Good Magic. Not scheduled to make his 3-year-old debut until the March 10 San Felipe. 

2.  Solomini – Beat McKinzie and Instilled Regard in the Los Alamitos Futurity, and both came back with nice wins.

3.  Instilled Regard – Shipped east for his 3-year-old debut and passed the test with flying colors as he easily won the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. 

4.  Good Magic – Only one win, but it was a big one in the Juvenile. Son of Curlin like Solomini, he has every right to improve at age three.

3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Rushing Fall – She's a turf specialist, but with an unbeaten record she belongs here.

2.  Moonshine Memories – I can forgive the one subpar race she had in the Juvenile Fillies while racing on the worst part of a track that had an extreme inside bias. She previously won two Grade 1 races, more than any in her class.

3.  Caledonia Road – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner won’t make her 3-year-old debut for a while due to an ankle injury.

4.  Road to Victory – She's 2-for-2 and won her dirt debut in the Grade 2 Golden Road in late November.
 
Turf Males

1.  World Approval – I don’t see this guy slowing down in 2018. It will be a tall order for another to take over this top spot.

2.  Beach Patrol – Stepped his game up to a new level last summer and fall. Just missed in the Breeders' Cup Turf, could have a big year.

3.  Sadler’s Joy – Was only beaten a little over two lengths in the Turf and, like last year, will be closing in the stretch of several major turf races.

4.  Oscar Performance – Was brilliant at times against his own age group in 2017. He should mature now at age 4 and has a higher ceiling than most. 
 
Turf Females

1.  Off Limits – She won 5-of-6 in 2017, which included the Grade 1 Matriarch to end her season. She starts 2018 off as the leader of a wide-open division.

2.  War Flag – Only beaten by three lengths in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, she previously won the Grade 1 Flower Bowl.

3.  Hawksmoor – Runner-up to Off Limits in the Matriarch, she previously won two grades stakes at Belmont Park last Spring.

4.  Cambodia -  Third in the Filly & Mare Turf, she was on the board in eight of her nine stakes starts in 2017.

Male Sprinters

1.  Roy H – Eclipse champ will be back in 2018 to defend his title.

2.  Imperial Hint – Almost held off Roy H in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

3.  Mind Your Biscuits – Solid 2017 that included a win in Dubai and ended with strong efforts in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Cigar Mile.

4.  American Anthem – Was third to Roy H in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship as a 3-year-old. Has solid wins in two other sprints and figures to improve now at age 4.