HRN Division Rankings: Justify tops big Belmont Park cards

Before American Pharoah came along in 2015, there were many years that we anticipated a Triple Crown. The principal reason for the failure of the Derby and Preakness winners in these Belmont Stakes was an ability to stay the trip – to get the mile and a half successfully. It was extremely frustrating to see them falter on the threshold of racing’s greatest prize.

Perhaps the most frustrating was Smarty Jones in 2004, or even Spectacular Bid in 1979. However, these failures added to the allure and mystique of the Triple Crown, which is so rarely won. 

Even great horses have tried and failed to win a Triple Crown because it not only takes greatness, but a little luck as well. Make no mistake: sweeping the Triple Crown is far and away the most difficult feat in sports. Three different racetracks, three distances, all in a five-week period, all done with a target on your back, especially in the Belmont where all of your opponents are looking to beat you.

The horse and his connections gunning for the Triple Crown are under a constant media microscope for the entire run. It’s no wonder only 12 have done it. But would we want it any other way? It is supposed to be difficult to achieve, and it is supposed to be a rare occurrence.

Remember those who tried and failed in the past at a short price. The aforementioned Smarty Jones and Spectacular Bid were the best since Seattle Slew’s Triple Crown to attempt the sweep. They left the gate at 2-5 and 1-5, respectively. In recent years Big Brown was 1-5 and California Chrome 3-5.

Justify will likely be odds-on as well this Saturday. The Triple Crown defines this sport, and all eyes are on the unbeaten colt.

Ahead of the Belmont Stakes, and a huge weekend of racing in New York, here's an updated look at HRN's Division Rankings:

Older Dirt Males

No major races for this division last week, but last year's Belmont winner did make his 2018 debut as Tapwrit ran third in an optional claimer. Sharp Azteca is still on the shelf and will likely not race again till late summer or early fall with the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile as the long range target. 

1.  Accelerate – He dominated a good field in the Gold Cup at Satna Anita while posting a 111 Beyer. Surprisingly, 10 furlongs appears to be his best distance, making him one of the early favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Classic this fall.

2.  City of Light – The distance finally appears to have caught up with this guy with his third-place finish in the Gold Cup. Still, he was only beaten 5 ½ lengths.

3.  West Coast – Still winless on the year, he's getting some time after a runner-up Dubai World Cup finish.

4.  Backyard Heaven – In his first stakes start, he passed the test with flying colors defeating Good Samaritan in Churchill Downs' Alysheba.

5.  Good Samaritan – No real excuse when beaten by more than five lengths by Backyard Heaven. He will shorten up this weekend in the Met Mile.

Next 5: Sharp Azteca, Collected, Army Mule, Dr.Dorr, Irish War Cry.

Older Dirt Females

Unique Bella was impressive in the Beholder Mile as she scored her first Grade 1 win around two turns. She has taken over the top spot in the division for this week. Elate isn’t ready for the Ogden Phipps, but she will likely make her 2018 debut in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs on June 16. The Delaware Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on July 14 will serve as a backup if she isn’t ready by then. 

1.  Unique Bella – Very impressive winner on her home track at Santa Anita in the Beholder Mile. She is now 2-for-3 on the season. Nine furlongs will be the big question for her to answer.

2.  Abel Tasman – A real test awaits in New York on the Belmont undercard, as she needs a win to reclaim the number one spot.

3.  Salty – Finally was able to defeat her rival, Abel Tasman, in the Grade 1 La Troienne. Will miss the Ogden Phipps due to injury.

4.  Fault – Injured while training to run in the grade 1 Ogden Phipps, her career is likely over but it is not life threatening. 

5.  Paradise Woods – No excuses when beaten by Unique Bella in the Beholder Mile. Would like to see her go longer.

Next 5: Elate, Unbridled Mo, Martini Glass, Lockdown, La Force.

3-Year-Old-Males

McKinzie is nearing a return to racetrack training after being sidelined with a hock injury in late March, still tack walking at Santa Anita. Along with Justify, Bolt d’Oro can make a huge statement for himself, and for his classmates, with a win over older horses this weekend in the Met Mile.
1.  Justify – If he wins on Saturday he will be a most deserving Triple Crown winner and belong on the same page as the previous greats who have won it.

2.  Good Magic – Contrary to popular opinion, and that of trainer Chad Brown, the ride Jose Ortiz gave the son of Curlin was brilliant in the Preakness. He tried his hardest but just wasn’t good enough. Will be rested for a summer campaign.

3.  Audible – The big three here have separated themselves from the rest of the pack.

4.  Bolt d’Oro – The connections have made the bold decision to take him to the Met Mile for his next start. It will be a tough test against a stacked older male field

5.  Magnum Moon – Never had a chance in the Derby as he was banged around and jostled early, middle, and late. The track condition did not help, either. A return to dry conditions will serve him well in his next start. He's already back on the work tab.

Next 5: Vino Rosso, McKinzie, Bravazo, Hofburg, My Boy Jack.

3-Year-Old-Females

Midnight Bisou had her first breeze since finishing third as the Kentucky Oaks favorite when going an easy half mile Thursday in 51.80 seconds at Churchill Downs for her new trainer, Steve Asmussen. She will likely race next in the Grade 1 Mother Goose on June 30.

Monomoy Girl and Caledonia Road are getting all the attention in the Acorn, but don’t forget about dual Grade 1 winner Moonshine Memories.

1.  Monomoy Girl – Showed the heart of a champion in turning away rival Wonder Gadot in the stretch of the Kentucky Oaks.

2.  Midnight Bisou – Came with her run in the stretch as the Oaks favorite but it was not enough, as she had to settle for third, beaten little more than four lengths.

3.  Caledonia Road – Impressive in her seasonal debut at Belmont with an easy win outside of stakes company. Will try and recapture the lead in this division in the Acorn.

4.  Wonder Gadot – The added distance is just what this filly needed as she gave Monomoy Girl all she could handle in the Oaks. Would like to see her finish off her races with a win instead of settling for second. The Queen’s Plate appears to be next.

5.  Dream Tree – This unbeaten filly topped Midnight Bisou twice last year and was primed for a rematch this year before she went to the sidelines.

Next 5: Eskimo Kisses, Mia Mischief, My Miss Lilly, Blamed, Moonshine Memories.

Turf Males

The big race this weekend is the Grade 1 Manhattan. The race is loaded as Beach Patrol, Hi Happy and Sadler’s Joy all entered. Don’t overlook the Chilean-bred Robert Bruce, who made a successful North American debut when he took the Grade 3 Fort Marcy Stakes here on May 5 to improve his record to 7-for-7. Robert Bruce won four Group 1s in Chile, including one at the Manhattan distance of 1 1/4 miles. He should not be taken lightly.
1.  World Approval – The 2017 champ's next race is expected to be the Wise Dan at Churchill Downs. His hold on this spot is in jeopardy.

2.  Heart to Heart – His attempt at three straight Grade 1 wins fell just short in the Shoemaker Mile on the West Coast.

3.  Beach Patrol – Ran well in his seasonal debut, beaten less than a length at a distance that may not be his best. Runs this weekend against a stacked field in the Manhattan.

4.  Hi Happy – The former star from Argentina has finally acclimated to U.S. racing having won his first Grade 1 event in this country. With two graded stakes wins in a row, he is building confidence.

5.  Yoshida – The talent has always been there for this Japanese-bred, and the win over Beach Patrol on Derby weekend may be the start of something new. A trip to Royal Ascot is next.

Next 5: Itsinthepost, Sadler’s Joy, Synchrony, Hunt, Robert Bruce.

Turf Females

Proctor’s Ledge, the winner of the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile, is set to run this weekend in the Grade 1 Just a Game for fillies and mares at a mile on turf. Also entered are On Leave, Dream Dancing and La Coronel.

In the Grade 2 New York Stakes, nine will line up, and among them will be Fourstar Crook and Holy Helena, who is unbeaten in three starts this year.

1.  Sistercharlie – Was a major player overseas last year placing in a Group 1 and then shipping here to just miss in last June’s Belmont Oaks. In her first start since that effort, she delivered a facile victory in Keeneland's Jenny Wiley.

2.  Fourstar Crook – Validated her last win with a nice runner-up effort to the top one here. Is the real deal, and will tough to beat on Friday in the New York.

3.  Off Limits – Ran better in her second start this year but had to settle for the show spot in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley with no real excuse.

4.  Rushing Fall – Suffered her first loss, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort as she battled with Daddy is a Legend for much of the Grade 3 Edgewood, put that one away in the stretch, only to have Toinette sweep on by at the wire to win by a neck.

5.  Dona Bruja – Started 2018 off in fine fashion, took a step back in her last start.

Next 5: Cambodia, La Coronel, Holy Helena, Sophie P, Proctor’s Ledge.

Male Sprinters

Mind Your Biscuits will try to keep rolling in the Met Mile this weekend against a tough field that now includes Limousine Liberal.

Imperial Hint will try to put his Churchill Downs disaster in the rearview mirror as he is entered in the Grade 2 True North on Friday. Whitmore is also in the field.

1.  Roy H – Had every chance in the stretch to pass X Y Jet but just could not muster enough late punch in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. The 2017 Eclipse Award winner is not taken down from this spot because of one loss. He has earned his place here for at least another race.

2.  X Y Jet – Ran a superb race in Dubai after being headed for the lead at the outset. He will make his next start June 30 in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream.

3.  Mind Your Biscuits – Pulled off a remarkable win against the track bias in defeating a superstar field that included our Top 2. He'll be favored in the Met Mile.

4.  City of Light – Tried his hardest in the Gold Cup, but the distance may have proven to be too much. Still one of the top sprinters in the U.S.

5.  Army Mule – Impressed in the Grade 1 Carter, and could be a future star, but news that he's sidelined means this position is only temporary.

Next 5: Limousine Liberal, Imperial Hint, Whitmore, American Anthem, Coal Front.

Female Sprinter 

American Gal and Ivy Bell, expected to start in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, were cross-entered in Friday’s Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses Invitational. Lewis Bay will run in the Bed o’ Roses.

Last week the big news from this division came from Curlin’s Approval, who got back on the winning track as she scored by three lengths in the listed Ana T. Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

1.  Selcourt – The clear leader of the female sprinter division missed the Beholder Mile, but holds her spot here for now.

2.  American Gal – Was very impressive in the Humana Distaff defeating an outstanding field rather easily. Could very well end up in the Ogden Phipps against Abel Tasman.

3.  Finley’sluckycharm – The Humana Distaff marked her first loss at Churchill down after six straight wins there.

4.  Skye Diamonds – Didn’t run well at all in the Humana Distaff but also may not have cared for the track condition. She's still among the best in this division.

5.  Ami’s Mesa – The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up had a tough 2018 debut in the Madison and was only beaten a little over a length. Has every right to improve next out.

Next 5: Ivy Bell, Lewis Bay, Marley’s Freedom, Miss Sunset, Curlin's Approval.