Post-Breeders' Cup, Epicenter remains atop 3-year-old division

Although nearly two months are left in the year, the door has closed on 2022 for racing's biggest stars.

For some, that means a much-deserved break. For others, it is off to the breeding shed to produce the stars of tomorrow. Regardless of where their careers are headed, however, it is the time of year when we start seriously discussing who will be crowned champions.

Entering the Breeders’ Cup , the eventual champion 3-year-old male seemed to be clear cut with Travers (G1) winner Epicenter at the top of the division. Things became a bit muddled when Epicenter suffered an injury in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was unable to finish the race. That opened the door for one of his peers to better their case for Eclipse honors.

For most, Epicenter remains at the top of the division. Apart from the Classic, he did not finish worse than second all year. He began the year as the runner-up in the Lecomte (G3) before taking the Risen Star (G2) and the Louisiana Derby (G2). He then vindicated his second-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with wins in the Jim Dandy (G2) and Travers. Although his injury in the Breeders’ Cup Classic cannot be held against him, it did prevent him from facing his elders, something that is often key in determining year-end honors.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike holds the distinction of being the only colt in this discussion who beat Epicenter. That upset victory was the highlight of an otherwise ho-hum year. He began 2022 at Turfway Park, running third in the Leonatus, fourth in the John Battaglia Memorial, and third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). After his triumph in the Derby, Rich Strike was off the board in the Belmont and fourth in the Travers. In his first start against his elders, the Keen Ice colt was second by a nose in the Lukas Classic (G2), a race that featured two other Breeders’ Cup Classic runners. He then ran fourth in the Classic itself.

Finishing ahead of Rich Strike in the Classic was Taiba. A talented son of Gun Runner, Taiba didn't debut until March, quickly graduating from maiden winner to Grade 1 winner via a victory in the Santa Anita Derby in his second start. He was a disappointing 12th in the Derby, but he ended the year strong. He finished second in the Haskell (G1) to eventual Dirt Mile runner-up Cyberknife en route to winning the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). He fared the best of all the 3-year-olds in the Classic, finishing a good third to complement his pair of Grade 1 wins.

Cyberknife enters the conversation by virtue of his Arkansas Derby (G1) and Haskell victories. He also won the Matt Winn (G3) and was second in the Travers and third in the Pennsylvania Derby. He was off the board in the Lecomte, finishing sixth and the Kentucky Derby (18th) but finished the year strong with a nose loss to Cody’s Wish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Another worth mentioning is Jack Christopher. His only loss on the year came when he tried stretching out around two turns in the Haskell. Although he didn’t win, he ran a respectable third. Included in his campaign are wins in the Pat Day Mile (G2), Woody Stephens (G1) and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1). But like Epicenter, he never faced his elders. In fact, he did not even participate in the Breeders’ Cup. However, the fact that he has never won beyond a mile is another strike against him, as sprinters and milers rarely get year-end recognition in this division.

Cases can certainly be made for any of these five talented colts, but at the end of the day, Epicenter still sits atop the division. The son of Not This Time danced every dance and missed competing against older rivals only because of injury. He might have won only one Grade 1 event, but his overall body of work is impressive enough to make up for that. Look for him to enter retirement as a champion.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this column included Cody's Wish as a contender, but he is not a 3-year-old.