Horse Racing Rankings for July 4, 2016

As we move into the second half of the season, and only four months until the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, let’s take a look at how I rank the best of the best American racing has to offer …

Older Dirt Males

1) California Chrome – San Diego bound champion may find more competition than originally believed.

2) Frosted – Can he back up the Met Mile Monster with a Wonderful Whitney?

3) Melatonin – Gold Cup and Big Cap winner must be respected this fall at a California Breeders’ Cup.

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

5) 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.

6) Comfort – Two nice wins at Belmont … He could be the new star in the Todd Pletcher barn.

3yo Males

1) Nyquist – Looking forward to a July return for the Kentucky Derby champion.

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

3) Creator – If the wire came a jump or two sooner in the Belmont, Destin would occupy this spot.

4) Gun Runner – The only thing he doesn’t have this year is a win in the Triple Crown series.

6) 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 at the Spa.

Older Dirt Females

1) Beholder – Will take one more shot against females before 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 – Going against Beholder in your first two races at four is a tough schedule.

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

6) Sheer Drama – Decided against the Princess Rooney; might she see Songbird in the Delaware Handicap?

3yo Females

1) Songbird – Delaware Handicap or Coaching Club American Oaks? Either way, can’t wait to see her with a new challenge.

2) Carina Mia – Her sharp win in the Acorn was flattered by the return race of the runner-up.

3) Off the Tracks – Wow … her Mother Goose victory was a very good performance from start to finish.

4) Cathryn Sophia – She may have lost her last, but she is still the impressive winner of the Kentucky Oaks.

5) Catch a Glimpse – Stretching out on Saturday; will the big win streak continue for the young turf star?

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 – His win in the Manhattan was push-button class at its very best.

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

5) Wake Forest – Man O’ War winner was just a bit dull on the Jersey Shore.

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

Turf Females

1) Tepin –I believe she has accomplished more in 2016 than any horse on the planet.

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

3) Catch a Glimpse – She’s only three, but clearly she belongs high on this list.

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

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

6) Sea Calisi – I think the New York result may be reversed next time.

Sprint Males

1) Lord Nelson – Takes his turn on top after a determined win at Santa Anita.

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

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

4) X Y Jet – On the shelf and likely to soon fall further down the list.

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

6) Delta Bluesman – Is the new star sprinter in the Navarro barn.

Sprint Females

1) Taris – Still have not seen anything better than her Humana Distaff; anxiously awaiting her return.

2) Stonetastic – Speed to burn, but just not quite as good at seven furlongs.

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 – She was very game to win Princess Rooney on Saturday.

***Coming Soon will be the 2yo Male and 2yo Female Rankings --Current respective tops on each are: Classic Empire and Lady Aurelia.