As usual, the Breeders' Cup will go a long way toward deciphering the leaders of each division in horse racing: Who is the leading older male? Turf female? Male sprinter? As the sun sets across the Kentucky landscape on November 5th, after the 28th Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) is in the history books, many of the Eclipse awards will have been decisively locked up. But with just over three weeks to go, who are the frontrunners for the division? Here are my opinions on the top three horses in each catagory.
Older Males
1. Acclamation - Has been dominant all summer with three grade I wins, but he's out for the year with an injury.
2. Tizway - Has won two grade I races, but will have to prove himself at a mile and a quarter in the BC Classic.
3. Flat Out - Jockey Club Gold Cup win was impressive, but was beaten by Tizway in the Whitney.
Older Females
1. Havre de Grace - Last two victories, including the Woodward against males, have been very impressive. BC Classic is next.
2. Blind Luck - Defeated #1 in the Delaware Handicap, but will miss the Breeders' Cup and is probably done for the year.
3. Stacelita - Has won a pair of grade I's on turf and will be the likely favorite for the BC Filly & Mare Turf.
Three-year-old Males
1. Stay Thirsty - Jim Dandy/Travers duo and strong second in the Belmont is more than any other sophomore has done.
2. Uncle Mo - Dominating Kelso victory suggests that this is more to come, but he hasn't won a grade I this year.
3. Animal Kingdom - Derby winner is out with an injury, but has still accomplished more than most.
Three-year-old Females
1. It's Tricky - Grade I wins in the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks leave her as the narrow leader.
2. Plum Pretty - Kentucky Oaks winner easily defeated #1 in the Cotillion Stakes, but had previously lost to her twice.
3. Royal Delta - Authorative Alabama win over both #1 and #2 was impressive, but regressed a bit in the Beldame.
Turf Males
1. Cape Blanco - Is the leader of the division off of three grade I turf stakes, but he's been retired with an injury.
2. Acclamation - Was racing incredibly well in California, but is out for the year with a foot problem.
3. Gio Ponti - Closed furiously to win the Shadwell Turf Mile, but as great as he is, it is still his only win this year. If he could win the BC Mile, it might potentially be enough to make him the division champion.
Turf Females
1. Stacelita - Easy victories in the Beverly D and the Flower Bowl have rocketed her to the lead of the division.
2. Dubawi Heights - Has two grade I wins under her belt, but was defeated decepively easy by #1 in the Beverly D.
3. Never Retreat - First Lady winner has five graded stakes wins under her belt this year, but will skip the Breeders' Cup.
Male Sprinters
1. Giant Ryan - Vosburgh winner will ride a five-race winning streak into the BC Sprint.
2. Euroears - Lost all chance shortly after the start of the Vosburgh, but has been sharp otherwise this year.
3. The Factor - Top three-year-old sprinter fell to defeat in the Ancient Title, but a win in the BC Sprint would put him back at the top.
Female Sprinters
1. Sassy Image - Injured her hoof when last in the Ballerina Stakes, but had previously won two grade I's and may still make the BC Filly & Mare Sprint.
2. Turbulent Descent - Magnificent sophomore sprinter won the Test Stakes and will be the one to beat in the BC Filly & Mare Sprint.
3. Switch - Decent third in the TCA Stakes should set her up strongly for the BC; won a grade I at seven furlongs back in January.
Two-year-old Males
1. Union Rags - Was simply sensational in the Champagne Stakes; BC Juvenile should be his to lose.
2. Creative Cause - Sharp winner of the Norfolk Stakes, he's proven around two turns and on dirt.
3. Drill - Finished a distant second to #2 in the Norfolk, but didn't get the greatest of trips and came out of the race with a fever.
Two-year-old Females
1. My Miss Aurelia - Easy win in the Frizette stamps her as a true high-quality filly.
2. Weemissfrankie - Oak Leaf winner possesses a strong late kick; will try and catch #1 in the Juvenile Fillies.
3. Stephanie's Kitten - Darley Alcibiades winner could potentially run in the BC Juveniles Fillies or Juvenile Fillies turf.
-Keelerman
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