Horse Racing Rankings for July 18, 2016

With the opening of Del Mar last week, and the return of Saratoga this week, the second half of the racing season has now officially begun. On that note, let’s see how America’s best horses currently rank at this key point of the year …

Older Dirt Males

1) California Chrome – San Diego foe, Dortmund, would certainly be on this list if he had made a start in ‘16.

2) Frosted – I do not believe that the two turns of the Whitney will not be any problem for the Met Mile winner.

3) Melatonin – Good to see the Gold Cup and Big Cap winner will take on the challenge of the Pacific Classic.

4) Effinex – Every other race this year has been very good; does he attempt Frosted next?

5) Hoppertunity – Did not get the pace he needed in the Gold Cup, but still tried hard.

6) Bradester – I don’t know if the Foster result will hold up, but he’s 2-for-2 with a Grade 1 win so far this year.

3yo Males

1) Nyquist – The Haskell it shall be; Gun Runner might not be so easy this time.

2) Exaggerator – He’s already won at Saratoga, so the Travers could be perfect for him.

3) Creator – Arkansas Derby and Belmont Stakes double is already more than I expected.

4) Gun Runner – Gets another go at the champ, and I think he is in with a real shot

5) Destin – His Belmont near miss proved that he belongs with the very best of this crop.

6) Mohaymen – Resting up for a real run at the big three-year-old races of the summer.

Older Dirt Females

1) Beholder – Tackles Stellar Wind again in preparation for defense of the Pacific Classic.

2) Cavorting – If she can take her current form outside of Belmont, she becomes a major player.

3) Forever Unbridled – With a little more luck last time, she could be one spot higher.

4) Stellar Wind – She might just be able to give Beholder more of a test this time around.

5) I’m A Chatterbox – Unfortunate start, but she was still clearly best in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap.

6) Curalina – Seasonal debut was the bomb, but her return race in the Phipps was a bit of a dud.

3yo Females

1) Songbird – Bring on Saratoga for this magnificent daughter of Medaglia d’Oro.

2) Catch a Glimpse – I now have her #2 on a pair of lists, but the top one on both is special.

3) Carina Mia – Ready or not, she is going to take her shot at the top one.

4) Off the Tracks – I wonder if this one will also give Songbird a try.

5) Cathryn Sophia – Two races at Parx are in the Kentucky Oaks winner’s future.

6) Go Maggie Go – The Acorn was not her best; interested to see what Romans has in store for her next.

Turf Males

1) Flintshire – He seems to be in a class by himself; Bowling Green bound.

2) World Approval – After knocking on the door, everything went right in a big U.N. win.

3) Ironicus – Lacked some room on Belmont Day; looks like a player at various distances.

4) Midnight Storm – Two determined graded stakes wins on two different courses in California deserves respect.

5) Divisadero – Grade 1 victory at Churchill Downs flattered by U.N. result.

6) Obviously – Maybe the speedster should have been running on the East Coast years ago.

Turf Females

1) Tepin – She’s come back happy and healthy from her trip to England, which is bad news for everyone else.

2) Catch a Glimpse – Eight wins in a row is a feat no matter who she runs against, but she is doing it against good horses.

3) Miss Temple City – Her two races this year have been very ambitious, and she has performed well.

4) Celestine – Her Just a Game performance was a real eye-opener.

5) Dacita – She was due for a big one after not winning since Saratoga.

6) Barleysurgar – Her U.S. debut yesterday at Del Mar was huge.

Sprint Males

1) Lord Nelson – He reminds me of Secret Circle in a lot of ways.

2) Subtle Indian – Gave it his all in the seven-furlong Triple Bend.

3) A.P. Indian – I wondered when he would break through in a big race, now I know.

4) Drefong – I think the Baffert trained colt will prove to be the real deal.

5) Kobe’s Back – Lacked needed late punch after being much closer on the far turn last time.

6) Masochistic – His return was a thing of beauty.

Sprint Females

1) Taris – Hoping this latest setback does not last long, and she makes an appearance at Saratoga.

2) Carina Mia – If this meeting with Songbird does not go well, she becomes a major player in this division.

3) By The Moon – Excellent win over the Breeders’ Cup champ in the Bed O’ Roses.

4) Wavell Avenue – Has not won yet this year, but she is knocking on the door

5) Dearest – Racking up the wins in South Florida; will get tested next in the Test.

6) Spelling Again – Very game in Princess Rooney victory on Saturday.

2yo Males

1) Classic Empire – The way he ran down the speed in the Bashford Manor already has me thinking about next spring.

2) Chasing Aces – How old was the track record he just broke at Del Mar?

3) Runaway Lute – Statebreds, but the Rockville Centre victory was very impressive.

4) Bitumen– Debut win at Churchill was the real deal, and he’s bred to run long.

5) Recruiting Ready – Speed to burn; top one had to run huge to get him.

6) Random Walk – The son of Super Saver’s maiden win at Belmont earned a Beyer of 90.

2yo Females

1) Lady Aurelia – She’s running in Europe for now, but either side of the Atlantic she is something special.

2) Theonewewaitedfor – Nice to see Creative Cause with a really nice looking filly.

3) Bode’s Dream – So far so good, for the filly with plenty of speed pedigree.

4) Dynamite Charge – Liked the way this one finished out her maiden score. (Tragically, Dynamite Charge passed away yesterday after a catastrophic training injury.)

5) Ever So Clever – The most impressive young filly I saw at Churchill Downs this summer.

6) Pretty City Dancer – Helped make it a big night for Team Casse at Churchill Downs.