HRN Division Rankings: Catholic Boy makes a big leap

Catholic Boy accomplished something last Saturday no other horse has when he won the Travers Stakes after taking Grade 1 turf race in his previous start. It’s not that it was a huge surprise that Catholic Boy won the race. After all, he was the third betting choice. It was how he won the race that raised some eyebrows. He overpowered the field of sophomores to win by four widening lengths. Left in his wake were race favorite Good Magic, beaten over 15 lengths. Vino Rosso, Tenfold and Grownkowski were also up the track.

It’s tough to gauge what all of this means. Some would say this is a condemnation of the 3-year-old division, at least the division of horses who completed in the Triple Crown events.  I would say it’s still too early to make any definitive judgments, but one thing is for sure: The pre-race talk before the Kentucky Derby, the Derby that many proclaimed as one of the strongest and deepest in years, was presumptuous.

For Catholic Boy’s connections, the win wasn’t a surprise at all. Jockey Javier Castellano was instrumental in convincing trainer Jonathan Thomas to run in the Travers. He was sure the horse he had ridden only two times -- but both exciting comeback grass wins after being headed in the stretch -- was ready show the same run on the dirt. Castellano was right. Now Catholic Boy appears the best chance for a 3-year-old to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The most exciting race of the weekend was the Grade 1 Personal Ensign. An expected showdown between Abel Tasman and Elate came to fruition, and these two put on a show in the stretch at Saratoga. Abel Tasman once again proved why she is the best female dirt horse in the world by refusing to be passed in the stretch.

There was some bumping between these two rivals in the stretch. Elate came in about two paths, while Abel Tasman came out a couple of paths. In my opinion, though, the stewards made the correct call. Abel Tasman was never going to be passed. They could have traveled around the track again, and Abel Tasman would have still been in front.

For Abel Tasman, this was the fourth time she has shipped cross-country to New York. She has won all four times, all Grade 1 races. For once, trainer Bob Baffert got it right afterwards when labeling one of his horses with historical praise, saying of Abel Tasman, "she's one of the best I've ever trained". 

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

Older Dirt Males

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 very good race in the Whitney considering the circumstances, as he validated the confidence his connections had in stretching him out.

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

Next 4: City of Light, Pavel, Army Mule, 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.

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

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 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. 

3.  Wonder Gadot – Was in too deep in the Travers. She will be fine when back against her own division. 

4.  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. 

5.  Red Ruby – Her last effort in the Delaware Oaks was very good, but she still has a ways to go to catch the top ones. Missed the Alabama due to injury.

Next 5: Dream Tree, 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 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 is 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, Sadler’s’ Joy, Hi Happy.

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 last weekend’s Grade 2 Ballston Spa.

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, Santa Monica, Off Limits, Quidura, Rushing Fall.

Male Sprinters

1.  Imperial Hint – “Wow” is the only word to describe his Grade 1 Vanderbilt win. Take 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 will 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.

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

Female Sprinters 

1.  Selcourt – Was flattered this last weekend with Marley’s Freedom's win in the 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 Grade 1 Ballerina in her first cross-country trip as she handled the best sprinters in the East. The Ballerina was her first Grade 1 win and her third graded win of 2018.

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.