Zipse: Letruska vs. Malathaat will be clash of champions

The Belmont Stakes might be the Test of the Champion, but this year the Ogden Phipps will be the clash of the champions.

Letruska and Malathaat, last year’s Eclipse Award winners as best older dirt female and top 3-year-old filly, respectively, are set for a titanic battle in the Grade 1 race at Belmont Park as part of a terrific card on Belmont Stakes day.

It’s far from a two-horse race in the Ogden Phipps, as top mares Clairiere, Search Results and Bonny South are expected, and Ce Ce and Royal Flag might even join the fray. But make no mistake. This loaded race starts with Letruska and Malathaat.

The fact that neither Letruska nor Malathaat won that afternoon at Del Mar was completely out of character, because they win nearly everything else.

Letruska, a speedy, 6-year-old daughter of Super Saver, has won 19 of 25 in her lifetime. It took her a few races to transition from Mexican sensation to American star, but when she did for trainer Fausto Gutierrez, it has been dominantly smooth sailing ever since.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Malathaat has needed no such transition. Bred from the gods, the daughter of Curlin and Dreaming of Julia is a half and a head away from being perfect in nine career starts. While it’s true that she was beaten in the Breeders’ Cup and the CCA Oaks (G1), neither narrow loss did anything to detract from her lofty reputation.

On paper Saturday’s Ogden Phipps is shaping up to be one of the races of the year. While both Letruska and Malathaat have the 2022 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland as their end game, Saturday’s big race at "Big Sandy" is in the here and now.

Before the Phipps showdown can meet the standards of past great distaff throwdowns like Beholder vs. Songbird and Blind Luck vs. Havre de Grace, the current stars of the distaff set both need to bring their "A" games.

There is every reason in the world to believe this will happen. If their sparkling career records are not enough to convince, consider a little more evidence:

* Both mares have come back running and winning in 2022. Letruska is 2-for-2, wiring the field in both the Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream Park and the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park. Malathaat won her return in relentless Malathaat style in the Doubledogdare (G3) at Keeneland.

* Letruska and Malathaat are both well versed at the 8 1/2-furlong trip of the Ogden Phipps. The 6-year-old has won seven times at the distance, including both of her starts this year. Her younger rival is 2-for-2 at the distance, including her win in the Doubledogdare.

* Both champions are familiar with the main track at Belmont Park. Letruska is the impressive defending champion of the race. Malathaat is stabled there and was a career debut winner at America’s biggest oval.

Letruska demonstrates that a great champion can come from anywhere, while Malathaat is a true American blueblood. 

The stage is set. It will be the demoralizing early speed of Letruska versus the inescapable stretch drive of Malathaat.

Top riders Jose Ortiz and Johnny Velazquez will be very aware of their formidable competition. Velazquez will need to make certain that Letruska does not get away from his mount, while Ortiz will need to save enough for the drive to hold of the oncoming charge of Malathaat.

Two sensational female champions, surrounded by a strong supporting cast, the Ogden Phipps has all the makings of a classic.

Letruska and Malathaat, unlike many of the headliners on the huge Belmont Stakes day card, are proven commodities. Both mares routinely collect graded-stakes wins at the highest level. They already have their championships, and they look primed for more.

The only thing standing in their way is each other. This is sport. This is what horse racing should be all about.