HRN Division Rankings: Justify faces highest hurdle yet

As the attention of the racing world turns to the 2018 Belmont Stakes in the coming weeks, a few takeaways on Justify's Preakness Stakes victory...

• Justify dealt with a quality horse in Good Magic who did everything he could to take the race to the Triple Crown hopeful. I felt the ride by Jose Ortiz aboard Good Magic was brilliant, and not letting Justify cross over him to get control of the race was the right thing to do. This outside-the-box thinking was needed. Justify, though, was simply too good and put away Good Magic in the stretch and then had enough in the tank to hold off some longshots. If Ortiz doesn’t take on Justify from the outset I am convinced Justify wins the Preakness by open lengths.

• The good and bad news for Justify supporters is that he has regressed in both races since his Santa Anita Derby win. Good because he has regressed but still won. Bad because, well, he has regressed. He is the first horse in  the modern era who will attempt a Triple Crown having dropped in speed in both of his starts since his final Derby prep.

• The Belmont will present a whole new set of challenges. We are still a little more than two weeks away, and so much has yet to be decided. We do know this: The others in his class are catching up to him. This was proven in that Preakness finish when five horses were within two lengths of each other at the wire. We also know that the Belmont will mark Justify's sixth start in 110 days. Any way you look at this, winning the Belmont will be a tall order.

• Audible has arguably the best to have a shot to knock off Justify in the Belmont. The thought of him being held out for this race because of common ownership shouldn’t be ignored. His trainer most certainly wants to run, and it will most certainly cast a foul odor over this Belmont if he does not get to enter. For the good of the sport, let’s hope Audible does indeed run if he is ready.

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

Older Dirt Males

1.  West Coast – Winless on the year, but I still feel he is the best up to nine furlongs in this division right now. Bob Baffert says he's stabled at Churchill Downs and "just walking" for now.

2.  City of Light – Not thought of as only a sprinter anymore. This guy is the real deal now with three straight graded stakes wins. We could see him in the Met Mile or Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

3.  Accelerate – Ran a game race in the Oaklawn Handicap, but City of Light proved to be too much. It was 10 lengths back to the third-place finisher.

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.

Next 5: Sharp Azteca, Collected, Pavel, Mubtaahij, Army Mule.

Older Dirt Females

1.  Abel Tasman – The Eclipse Award-winner will get another shot given she jumped straight back to the Grade 1 level off a layoff. We'll see her again Belmont Stakes weekend.

2.  Unique Bella – Still searching for her first win outside of her home base of California and her first Grade 1 win around two turns. Her next race will be the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on June 2 against Paradise Woods.

3.  Salty – Finally was able to defeat her rival, Abel Tasman, in the Grade 1 La Troienne. Back to two turns, on Derby weekend. Could appear next on Belmont day in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps.

4.  Fault – The former turf star has found a new home on the dirt, with the Adoration her second straight graded stakes win since moving to the main track. The Beholder Mile is next up for this rising star.

5.  Paradise Woods – Should be more effective around two turns next in the stacked Beholder Mile.

Next 5: Elate, Unbridled Mo, Vale Dori, Martini Glass, Lockdown.

3-Year-Old-Males

1.  Justify – Was tested in the Preakness, and he prevailed in the wet going once again. Although he has regressed in form since his Santa Anita Derby win, he has found a way to continue the Triple Crown run. The Belmont presents an entirely new set of obstacles.

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. This guy came with his run after being shuffled back to 12th early on in the Derby. The next race for Audible should be the Belmont Stakes, but because of common ownership with Justify he may not go, which I look at as a controversial decision, and a bad one for the sport.

4.  Bolt d’Oro – Tried his best to stay with Justify. But, whether it was the track condition, the distance, the competition, or a combination of all of them, it was too much. The connections have made the curious choice to take him to the Met Mile for his next start. He will be a longshot 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.

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

3-Year-Old-Females

1.  Monomoy Girl – Showed the heart of a champion in turning away rival Wonder Gadot in the stretch of the Kentucky Oaks. The Grade 1 Acorn on Belmont Stakes day will be next.

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. She too will run 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.

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

1.  World Approval – The Grade 1 Kilroe Mile marked his first loss since June of last year, but he has earned his place here and will maintain his hold for at least another race, expected to be the Wise Dan at Churchill.

2.  Heart to Heart – Two straight Grade 1 wins, the latest in dominant fashion the Maker's 46 Mile at Keeneland, has this guy in the best form of his career and a real threat to World Approval’s hold as the top-ranked horse on the grass.

3.  Beach Patrol – Ran well in his seasonal debut beaten less than a length at a distance that may not be his best. Look for him to appear next on Belmont day in the Grade 1 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, and will be tough horse to beat moving forward.

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

Next 5: Oscar Performance, Synchrony, Bigger Picture, Itsinthepost, Analyze It.

Turf Females

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 moving forward.

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.  Hawksmoor – Beaten a nose in her 2018 debut at Laurel Park, that race should have her ready for bigger goals ahead.

5.  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.

Next 5: Dona Bruja, Cambodia, Grand Jete, War Flag, Holy Helena.

Male Sprinters 

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 looked home free with 200 yards to go but was again nailed on the wire in Dubai, much like he was two years ago.

3.  Mind Your Biscuits – Pulled off a remarkable win against the track bias in defeating a superstar field that included our Top 2. As honest as they come, another quality win like Dubai could move him up even higher. He will also point to the Met Mile for his next start.

4.  City of Light – Still one of the top sprinters in the country, but now this guy has bigger goals.

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 

1.  Selcourt – The clear leader of the female sprinter division will miss a possible start in the Grade 1 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. The top two here have widened the gap from the others.

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, Miss Sunset, Curlin's Approval, Princess Karen.