Breeders' Cup Divisional Rankings 9/19/12

Photo by Terri Cage

Can you believe it? In just 43 days, the Breeders’ Cup will bring to life a clash of titans of the Thoroughbred racing world at Santa Anita. It’s an understatement to say that I am very excited for this year’s Breeders’ Cup, at which I’ll be able to see some of the greatest horses in the world in person yet again!

Below is my first edition of my divisional rankings for all Breeders’ Cup races. I am certain things will change between this post and my final divisional ranking post before the Breeders’ Cup and could very well change after this weekend's races!

Juvenile Sprint

1. Bern Identity
2. Handsome Jack
3. Scherer Magic
4. Goldencents

Marathon

1. Jakkalberry*
2. Eldaafer
3. Not Abroad
4. Calidoscopio

Juvenile Fillies Turf

1. Sky Lantern
2. Spring Venture
3. Watsdachances
4. Spring in the Air

Juvenile Fillies

1. Dreaming of Julia
2. So Many Ways
3. Executiveprivelege
4. Kauai Katie*

Filly & Mare Turf

1. Snow Fairy*
2. The Fugue
3. Izzi Top
4. Zagora

Ladies’ Classic

1. Questing
2. Royal Delta
3. It’s Tricky*
4. Include Me Out

Juvenile Turf

1. Dawn Approach
2. First Cornerstone
3. Balance the Books
4. Brown Almighty

Filly & Mare Sprint

1. Groupie Doll
2. Turbulent Descent
3. Contested
4. Winding Way

Sprint

1. Amazombie
2. Emcee*
3. Capital Account
4. The Factor

Turf Sprint

1. Fire Lily
2. Bated Breath
3. California Flag
4. Caracortado

Dirt Mile

1. To Honor and Serve
2. Shackleford
3. Rail Trip
4. Tapizar

Turf

1. Nathaniel
2. St. Nicholas Abbey
3. Point of Entry
4. Dullahan*

Juvenile

1. Shanghai Bobby
2. Rolling Fog
3. Know More
4. Fortify

Mile

1. Wise Dan*
2. Excelebration
3. Cityscape
4. Moonlight Cloud

Classic

1. Game On Dude
2. Mucho Macho Man
3. Ron the Greek
4. Fort Larned

*may opt for a different division (if a horse's connections are considering multiple races, I will only rank the horse in a single division)

This year’s Breeders’ Cup is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting renewal! Each division is quite competitive and some – such as the Juvenile Fillies, Ladies’ Classic, Filly & Mare Sprint, Mile, and Classic – appear very contentious. Considering there is a multitude of horses I had to exclude (such as Stephanie's Kitten, Musical Romance, and Little Mike), it only strengthens my belief that this will be a very strong Breeders’ Cup. Its approach becomes more and more exciting each and every day!