The 2012 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic

By Mary Cage

Ask any racing fan what race they view as the most competitive of this year’s Breeders’ Cup and there is a very good chance that their answer will be the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI). Featuring a field loaded with fillies and mares – including three champions that already have Breeders’ Cup triumphs to their credit – ready for the fight of their lives, this race could go down in the history books as one of the greatest Breeders’ Cup races to ever be run.

Royal Delta

Royal Delta
Photo by Terri Cage

The reigning victress of the Ladies’ Classic, Royal Delta began 2012 on a sour note, being soundly defeated in a graded stakes at Gulfstream prior to suffering a difficult journey and loss in the Dubai World Cup (GI). However, she returned to the United States with a flourish, running away with the Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII) at Churchill Downs by 8 lengths. Following a hard-fought victory in the Delaware Handicap (GII), Royal Delta finished second to Love and Pride in the Personal Ensign Stakes (GI) at Saratoga, resurging in the final stages of the race despite appearing seemingly done.

But next out, the champion proved her dominance. In the Beldame Invitational Stakes (GI), a race in which she’d been left in the wake of eventual Horse of the Year Havre de Grace last year, Royal Delta crushed the field – which included the grade one-winning It’s Tricky – by an astounding 9 ½ lengths. Treating the race like an everyday gallop, Royal Delta was kept under wraps by Mike Smith in the stretch.

When Royal Delta brings her A-game, the champion appears invincible. As the defending champion of the Ladies’ Classic, this is her race to lose and though she has never started over Santa Anita’s surface, she has a huge advantage with Mike Smith aboard. Without a doubt, she will have her work cut out for her amongst such remarkable opponents, but if she’s on her best game, Royal Delta will be difficult to beat.

Awesome Feather

One of three previous Breeders’ Cup champions in this race, Awesome Feather conquered the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Churchill Downs. Plagued by injuries, this undefeated filly has only raced four times since then. Altogether, Awesome Feather has captured these four victories by a combined 24 ¼ lengths.

Awesome Feather
Photo by Terri Cage

Awesome Feather’s only graded stakes victory among her four outings since her Breeders’ Cup triumph came in the Gazelle Stakes (GI) at Aqueduct last November, in which she defeated a field that included Love and Pride by 5 ¼ lengths. Following a dominant victory in the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes, Awesome Feather was sidelined again, but returned in September in the Nasty Storm Stakes at Belmont. In stunning fashion, the Chad Brown trainee ran her flawless record to ten victories en route to a jaw-dropping 11 ¼-length romp in an impressive final time of 1:33.47 for one mile.

Over the past two years, Awesome Feather has been very lightly raced and has only contested against grade one company once. However, there is a certainly quality to this filly that makes her a very dangerous competitor: her sheer brilliance. I believe we do not yet know just how good Awesome Feather is.

My Miss Aurelia

A filly I have followed since her maiden, My Miss Aurelia is another undefeated champion entered in the Ladies’ Classic. Winner of last year’s Juvenile Fillies, My Miss Aurelia was sidelined due to injury following her spectacular win under the Twin Spires last November and, like Awesome Feather, has only been seen a handful of times since then. In fact, My Miss Aurelia has only raced twice since being crowned Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, having returned to the races this August.

My Miss Aurelia
Photo by Terri Cage

That return came in the Mandys Gold Stakes at Saratoga, which My Miss Aurelia won by 3 lengths going six furlongs. Next out, she faced Questing – who was coming off two spectacular grade one victories at the Spa – in the Cotillion Stakes (GI) at Parx. In a stirring stretch battle, My Miss Aurelia prevailed by a head to keep her undefeated record intact.

My Miss Aurelia is one of the most talented horses I have seen firsthand and I find it very impressive that she was able to reel in Questing in her second race after a layoff, though she did not carry as much weight. It is worrisome that My Miss Aurelia is entering the Breeders’ Cup off of such a tough race that was just her second since her return, but the filly appears to be in great condition. Another worry is that perhaps the nine-furlong distance of the Ladies’ Classic is a bit too far for her. However, this is My Miss Aurelia and I will never doubt her talent. It will be interesting to see how she fares against this star-studded field.

Questing

This Kiaran McLaughlin trainee began her career in the United Kingdom and following a fifth-place finish in last year’s Juvenile Fillies, Questing began her sophomore campaign with mediocre performances in allowance optional claiming events prior to an easy breakthrough win at that level.

Questing
Photo by Terri Cage

But then we saw the filly she had transformed into. Questing dived back into the grade one pool with a splash, galloping to an easy 4 ¼-length victory in the Coaching Club American Oaks (GI) at Saratoga despite drifting out in the stretch. Proving that this was no fluke, Questing annihilated rivals next out in the Alabama Stakes (GI), running erratically in the stretch yet again but capturing the race by an imposing 9 lengths in an impressive final time of 2:01.29 for ten furlongs.

Questing fell a head short to My Miss Aurelia in her successive start, the Cotillion Stakes. Rather than setting the pace as she had in her past two victories, Questing settled off the leader and while carrying seven pounds less than My Miss Aurelia, she missed by a head after a gutsy stretch duel.

It seems that Questing has been forgotten since her winning streak was snapped, but this filly should certainly not be erased from memory. She is absolutely brilliant and can use her speed as a deadly weapon. As a filly with both speed and stamina, Questing will play a large role in the outcome of the Ladies’ Classic.

Love and Pride

A daughter of the great A.P. Indy, Love and Pride commenced 2012 on the right note, dominating a stakes at Aqueduct by 7 lengths. Following three defeats in graded company – two of which were runner-up finishes – Love and Pride broke through with her first graded stakes victory, winning the Obeah Stakes (GIII) by nearly two lengths over Tiz Miz Sue, who would give Royal Delta a run for her money next out in the Delaware Handicap. However, Love and Pride crossed the wire fourth in the “Del Cap.”

But she avenged that loss with her first grade one victory in her subsequent race, defeating Royal Delta by a half-length in the Personal Ensign Handicap (GI). However, it must be pointed out that Royal Delta was carrying ten pounds more than Love and Pride, who then shipped west for a trip around Santa Anita’s dirt oval, easily winning the Zenyatta Stakes (GI) by 3 ¼ lengths after setting the pace.

Love and Pride seems to be underestimated by many, but I give her a good chance in this race. After all, she is a dual grade one winner with a victory at Santa Anita already under her belt. However, the Ladies’ Classic will be a very tall task for her and she will have to pull out all the stops to secure a victory.

Include Me Out

Arguably the best female Thoroughbred on the West Coast this year, Include Me Out won her first three starts in 2012 – all of which came in graded stakes. Not only did one of these triumphs include a romp in the Santa Margarita Invitational Stakes (GI), but two of these victories came at Santa Anita.

After finishing second in the Vanity Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, Include Me Out displayed her determination with a conquest of the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (GI) at Del Mar prior running third in the Zenyatta. But this loss should not be held against her, as Include Me Out has been tremendously consistent this year and has plenty of experience over the dirt track at Santa Anita. Despite the fact that she will be facing three champions and several other brilliant fillies and mares, Include Me Out should not be ignored.

Grace Hall

One of the best two-year-old fillies in the nation last year, Grace Hall’s final start as a two-year-old resulted in a second-place finish behind My Miss Aurelia in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Following a narrow loss in her 2012 debut, Grace Hall romped in the Gulfstream Oaks (GII) in preparation for the Kentucky Oaks (GI), in which she finished third.

Grace Hall did not race for two months after the Kentucky Oaks, but returned with an easy win in the Delaware Oaks (GII). However, the filly finished fifth as the beaten favorite in the Alabama, crossing the wire 31 lengths behind Questing. But she then reverted to her dominant winning ways, capturing the Indiana Oaks (GII) by 5 ¾ lengths.

Grace Hall is certainly among the best in her division, but when pitted against the very best, she has failed to turn in her best performance. She is undoubtedly a gifted athlete capable of tremendous performances, but I do not believe she will win the Ladies’ Classic.

The Ladies’ Classic certainly has a plethora of suspense and excitement surrounding it, offering one of the best fields of the entire 2012 Breeders’ Cup. I can envision many outcomes to this race, as it has gathered one of the best groups I have ever seen in a Breeders’ Cup event. I will give the nod to Royal Delta, but certainly would not be surprised to see Awesome Feather, My Miss Aurelia, or Questing enter the winner’s enclosure following this race. In addition, I am expecting good performances from Love and Pride and Include Me Out and certainly will not forget about Grace Hall. Regardless of how this race plays out, I am surely looking forward to it and will revel in the presence of these spectacular fillies.

Three-Year-Old Fillies Roundup

Girl power has been a recurrent theme in horse racing as of late. The sophomore filly division has been very interesting and competitive in the past few years, producing some of the most talented fillies in recent years, such as Blind Luck, Rachel Alexandra, Rags to Riches, and Ashado. The three-year-old filly class does not have a spectacular standout this year, but is a competitive division nonetheless.

Many things have changed since my last roundup of this division, which came at the end of January. Here is a look at several of the top three-year-old fillies in the nation:

Agave Kiss: This filly’s undefeated record was snapped in her seventh start, a dull fifth-place finish in the Victory Ride Stakes (GIII). A filly I have followed since her maiden victory, Agave Kiss is much better than she showed in the Victory Ride. However, with just one graded stakes victory to her credit, Agave Kiss will need to step it up to be competitive at the grade one level. She is, of course, a sprinter and not a filly suited for nine furlongs or the classic distance.

Believe You Can: The Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner turned in a rather disappointing third-place finish in the Mother Goose Stakes (GI), being defeated by 9 ¼ lengths. Believe You Can's most recent work was a one-mile work at Ellis Park in 1:38, which followed a five-furlong work at the same track.

Broadway’s Alibi: The runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks, Broadway’s Alibi won her first two starts of 2012 – both of which were graded stakes races – by a combined 20 ¼ lengths. However, she has not worked since June 10 and was shipped to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for examination and has not returned to the work tab.


Centre Court: This filly did not break her maiden until May, when she dominated a nine-furlong turf maiden at Churchill Downs. She then took two graded stakes: the Regret Stakes (GIII) and the Lake George Stakes (GII). Centre Court is certainly among the best grass fillies in the nation.

Contested: This filly was undefeated this year until she finished last in the Mother Goose. However, prior to that, she was brilliant, taking not only the Eight Belles Stakes (GIII), but the Acorn Stakes (GI). This filly appears to be more suited to distances shorter than nine furlongs. However, she is expected to contest in the Alabama Stakes (GI) at ten furlongs.

Disposablepleasure: A graded stakes-winning juvenile, Disposablepleasure is winless this year. However, she has finished in the money in three of her five starts this year. She finished a lackluster fourth in the Coaching Club American Oaks (GI) on July 21.

Dixie Strike: A stakes winner in Florida earlier this year who finished third in a graded stakes at Gulfstream and fifth in the Ashland Stakes (GI) at Keeneland, the Ontario-bred Dixie Strike found her groove in Canada. After winning the Selene Stakes (GIII), Dixie Strike was soundly defeated in the Woodbine Oaks but then finished a good third against males in the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Queen’s Plate Stakes. She then defeated males in the second jewel, the Prince of Wales Stakes. Perhaps Dixie Strike is more competitive in Canada than in the United States, but she is certainly a talented filly. She could start next in the Alabama.

Eden’s Moon: After breaking her maiden in January at Santa Anita, Eden’s Moon easily won the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI) before finishing third in the Santa Anita Oaks (GI). Following a last-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks, Eden’s Moon finished a nose short in the Hollywood Oaks (GII) over the synthetic. She made her turf debut on July 22, impressively winning the San Clemente Handicap (GII) at Del Mar. She seems to have found her niche on the grass.

Grace Hall: One of the top juvenile fillies last year, Grace Hall has never finished out of the money. A graded stakes winner at Gulfstream earlier this year, Grace Hall finished a good third in the Kentucky Oaks prior to returning on July 14 to effortlessly take the Delaware Oaks (GII). Though she does not have a grade one victory to her credit this year, I believe Grace Hall is among the top two of this division and she could prove that in the Alabama.

In Lingerie: A filly who has never finished out of the money, In Lingerie scored her first graded stakes victory in her graded stakes debut, dominating the Bourbonette Oaks (GIII) at Turfway in March. She then overcame great trouble to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GIII) before finishing a decent third in the July 21 Coaching Club American Oaks.

Karlovy Vary: This filly broke through with a win in the Ashland, but then finished a poor twelfth in the Kentucky Oaks. However, Karlovy Vary then rebounded with an easy win in an allowance optional claiming over the Churchill Downs turf. She recently finished a decent third in the Nani Rose Stakes over Saratoga's turf course.

Lady of Shamrock: Recent winner of the American Oaks Stakes (GI), Lady of Shamrock has not finished off the board this year. A filly with an obvious affinity for Southern California turf courses, Lady of Shamrock could certainly have an advantage come the Breeders’ Cup. Obviously, this filly is more effective on turf than dirt, but I believe she is among the very best turf fillies in this division. She will likely race next in the Del Mar Oaks (GI).

My Miss Aurelia
Photo by Terri Cage

My Miss Aurelia: The champion juvenile filly from last year, My Miss Aurelia has not made a start yet this year due to a shin injury. However, she has been working steadily and is currently at Saratoga, preparing for a possible start in the Monmouth Oaks (GIII).

On Fire Baby: This filly was a top two-year-old last year, winning two graded stakes at Churchill. Following a good effort against males at Oaklawn, On Fire Baby won the Honeybee Stakes (GIII). However, she has been lackluster since then, finishing fifth in the Kentucky Oaks and fourth in the Acorn. She has had no workouts in the past sixty days.


Potesta: After finishing third in her debut in March, Potesta crushed a field in a mile and one-sixteenth maiden at Hollywood over the cushion track. Most recently, she took the Hollywood Oaks (GII) by a nose. She has plenty of learning to do, but is full of raw talent.

Questing: A filly who began her career in Great Britain, Questing took a while to get into the swing of things in the United States. She broke through with an easy victory in an allowance optional claiming at Belmont Park, following up that win with a green but dominant triumph in the Coaching Club American Oaks. She still has some growing up to do, but I believe Questing is among the best two in this division.

Reneesgotzip: A filly who has never competed outside of California, this daughter of City Zip won the Santa Ynez Stakes (GII) in January prior to finishing second in both the Las Virgenes and the Santa Anita Oaks. Her most recent start came in early May, when she won an allowance at Hollywood Park. She has not posted a work since May 21.

Stephanie’s Kitten: The winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII) and Alcibiades Stakes (GI) was third in the Ashland prior to winning the ungraded Edgewood Stakes over the Churchill Downs turf course. She recently finished a close fourth in the Lake George, experiencing a tough trip.

Winding Way: A full sister to the brilliant two-year-old maiden winner Kauai Katie, this filly has proven to be as impressive as her sister. After winning a six-furlong maiden at Hollywood Park by nearly five lengths, the filly dominated a six and one-half-furlong allowance optional claiming by 7 ¼ lengths at Del Mar. She will need to show what she can do against graded stakes company, but this is certainly a remarkable filly.

Zo Impressive: This gray filly dominantly won her first two career starts at Gulfstream Park early this year, the latter of which she defeated In Lingerie in. Following a runner-up finish behind Grace Hall in the Gulfstream Oaks Stakes (GII) and another second-place finish in the Acorn, Zo Impressive took the Mother Goose. She then finished a sound second behind Questing in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

This division seems to be one that consists of horses that take turns beating each other. Grace Hall and Questing appear to be at the top, but Eden's Moon and Lady of Shamrock are certainly at the top of the turf three-year-old fillies, though Karlovy Vary and Stephanie's Kitten could continue to rebound. Horses like In Lingerie, Winding Way, and Zo Impressive should not be ignored, either. This division has some sorting out to do.

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My Special Aurelia

Normally, this piece would be a “Juvenile Spotlight” since I discovered this filly before her maiden race and have followed her throughout her career. However, she is already plenty in the spotlight. Instead, this is a piece on how I came across this special filly, how talented she is, and what she has the potential to be.

In anticipation of an upcoming maiden special weight for two-year-old fillies at Saratoga Race Course, I researched the pedigrees of each filly in the race. I chose two fillies off of pedigree and was impressed by them in the post parade as well. One would finish fifth while the other would cross the wire victoriously. Though I knew the winner was a talented filly, I didn’t realize at the time just how special she would become. The winner’s name was My Miss Aurelia.

Obviously, her sire, Smart Strike, is very successful and has already sired a remarkable horse for her connections in Curlin. Smart Strike was the leading sire in 2007 and 2008 and is currently the second leading sire of 2011.

My Miss Aurelia
Photo: Terri Cage

To add to her impressive pedigree is My Miss Aurelia’s dam, My Miss Storm Cat. The daughter of the incredible pensioned sire Storm Cat was a stakes winner that also finished third in the Landaluce Stakes (GIII) as a two-year-old. My Miss Aurelia is the mare’s second foal. Her first foal was Albergatti, who was briefly on the Kentucky Derby trail earlier this year and finished second in the Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

In addition to her notable pedigree, My Miss Aurelia possesses imposing conformation. Her long, thin neck ties in correctly at the point of shoulder. Furthermore, her shoulder is strong and sloping, allowing her to be proportional and have a long, smooth stride. Her deep heart girth indicates that she has a large set of lungs, which clearly allows her to breathe well. Her quality muscling is also evident, as are her clean legs.

In her maiden race, the Steve Asmussen trainee sat in second under Julien Leparoux before taking the lead with about a furlong left. The bay filly drew clear in Stonestreet’s silks in the final yards, going on to win by a length over Delightful Magic, who recently finished fifth of ten in the Delta Downs Princess Stakes (GIII). The final time for My Miss Aurelia’s maiden victory was 1:03.59 for five and one-half furlongs.

My Miss Aurelia was made the favorite for the Adirondack Stakes (GII) next out. Millionreasonswhy, coming off a victory in the Matron Stakes (GII), appeared on My Miss Aurelia’s outside as the horses came around the far turn. The daughter of Grand Slam looked as if she would blow right past My Miss Aurelia, but the Stonestreet homebred owned by Stonestreet and George Bolton dug in and would not let Millionreasonswhy pass her. The half-sister to Albergatti, ridden by Leparoux again, prevailed by a neck and galloped out ahead of Millionreasonswhy. With her win, many ranked her as the top juvenile filly in the nation.

Along the way, I learned that My Miss Aurelia was named by Jess Jackson not long before he passed away. He had named the filly after George Bolton’s mother, who is a lucky charm at the races. The story led me to love the filly even more.

The Frizette Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park was My Miss Aurelia’s last stop along the road to the Breeders’ Cup. Despite the fact that My Miss Aurelia was highly-touted, the favorite was Stopshoppingmaria, the filly that had finished third to My Miss Aurelia when the Steve Asmussen trainee broke her maiden. Many were persuaded by Stopshoppingmaria’s recent romp in a maiden special weight. However, I was still on My Miss Aurelia’s side and was staying that way.

I was glad I stayed on her side. Just over one minute and thirty-five seconds after the two-year-old fillies broke from the starting gate and ran a mile, My Miss Aurelia flashed across the wire with Corey Nakatani aboard, five and one-half lengths ahead of Stopshoppingmaria. With her dominant win, she became the favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

As the championship race approached, I was torn between two fillies I had followed since their maidens: My Miss Aurelia and Weemissfrankie. Since the latter resembled my horse, I was partial and felt my heart leaning slightly in her direction. However, as the fillies paraded in front of me before the race, I had a gut feeling that My Miss Aurelia would stand in the winner’s circle to my left with the blanket of flowers draped over her withers.

Corey Nakatani celebrating with
Aurelia standing next to the special
filly named after her
Photo: Terri Cage

My gut didn’t lie. In one of the most impressive Breeders’ Cup victories of 2011, My Miss Aurelia won the Juvenile Fillies stylishly, crossing the wire three lengths in front. As I stood along the rail just a few feet away from the stunning bay filly when she was awarded with the winner’s garland of flowers, I watched as jockey Corey Nakatani celebrated aboard her, throwing flowers from the blanket into the air.

As I watched in awe, my cheeks were not just flushed by the cold. Before me was the beautiful filly that I’d followed since before she even stood in a winner’s circle and to my left were her blissful connections, including her namesake, Aurelia. As my mother snapped pictures beside me, I watched with my eyes glued to the champion, struck with a feeling that My Miss Aurelia was even more special than I originally thought. And considering I’ve known she’s special all along, it is unbelievable how special I believe she will be.

Photo: Terri Cage


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Eclipse Awards: The Horses

2011 has been an incredible year of racing, but it was a jumbled mess. Usually by now, each division is wrapped up. However, that is not the case. For final decisions, attention will be on the upcoming Clark Handicap (GI) and other races as well. After a Breeders’ Cup nearly full of longshot winners, the Eclipse Awards have become very confusing. Here we go again.

Horse of the Year

See "Who's Horse of the Year?" 

Two-Year-Old Male (in alphabetical order)

Horse of the Year may not be a battle between two closely matched horses this year, but Two-Year-Old Male is. The finish of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) was quite similar to last year’s Classic between Blame and Zenyatta. The voting just might be the same as well.

Hansen
Photo by Mary Cage

Hansen: The striking silver colt held off Union Rags by a head to prevail in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Prior to the Breeders’ Cup, the son of Tapit dominantly won a maiden special weight and the Bluegrass Cat Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes at Turfway Park in monster performances. Yes, he won the championship race, but it was a very narrow margin that was diminishing. Also, his win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was his only graded stakes win. Hansen is definitely an extremely talented horse and his championship win may win him the award, but the colt he narrowly defeated may get revenge and win the award instead.

Union Rags: Union Rags looked like one of the most likely winners over Breeders’ Cup weekend. However, it was not to be. After drifting out in the stretch, the Michael Matz trainee missed by a head. He clearly was not handling the track, which cost him the race. Yet he still galloped out plenty ahead of Hansen and was finishing more strongly. Prior to the Breeders’ Cup, Union Rags was undefeated. Two of his three wins prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile were graded: the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (GII) and the Champagne Stakes (GI). It is a tough choice and both colts are very deserving of the title. It will be a very close call in this division.

Two-Year-Old Filly

This one is simple:

My Miss Aurelia: She’s undefeated, a two-time grade one winner, and the dominant winner of the championship race for this division. My Miss Aurelia, a filly I've followed since before her maiden, is the 2011 champion Two-Year-Old Filly.

Three-Year-Old Filly

This division is simple also:

Royal Delta: Royal Delta dominantly defeated other top three-year-old fillies in two of the most important races of the year, the TVG Alabama Stakes (GI) and the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI). With her effortless win in the Ladies’ Classic, Royal Delta clinched 2011 champion Three-Year-Old Filly.

Three-Year-Old Male (in alphabetical order)

This has become one of the toughest decisions in all divisions of the Eclipse Awards. Though only three are mentioned here, there were plenty of other talented three-year-old males, including Shackleford and Stay Thirsty. It will be a tough decision for voters.

Animal Kingdom: He is the victor in the most prestigious race of the year: the Kentucky Derby (GI). That speaks for itself, but the colt was not just successful in the Derby. He won the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (GIII) by two and three-quarters lengths prior to winning the Derby. After the Derby, Animal Kingdom finished a persevering second in the Preakness Stakes (GI). In the Belmont Stakes (GI), his chances of winning the race were shattered when he nearly lost the rider at the start. He came out of that race with an injury, so he has not raced since. However, Animal Kingdom was clearly the best three-year-old of the year. Therefore, he deserves this award. Read more about him in The Return of the Kingdom.

Caleb's Posse
Photo by Mary Cage

Caleb’s Posse: After his dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI), Caleb’s Posse has surely garnered plenty of votes. He picked up two grade one wins this year: the Dirt Mile and the Foxwoods King’s Bishop Stakes (GI). He also won the Smarty Jones Stakes, the Ohio Derby (GIII), and the Amsterdam Stakes (GII). He may have won five times this year (three more than Animal Kingdom), but he also raced twice as many times as Animal Kingdom was able to. The key in choosing between them is prestige and consistency. Animal Kingdom was more successful in prestigious races than Caleb’s Posse and only finished out of the money once, which was understandable, as it was when he was impeded in the Belmont. Caleb’s Posse, on the other hand, finished out of the money three times. He’s talented, but he’s no Animal Kingdom. I think it will be a close call between Animal Kingdom and Caleb’s Posse that will go to Caleb’s Posse. I believe that Animal Kingdom is the better horse, but since he was only able to race for the first half of the year, Caleb’s Posse took the lead.

Ruler on Ice: The only way Ruler on Ice is capable of being crowned as the champion three-year-old is if he wins the upcoming Clark Handicap (GI). Even then, it will be tough for him to be voted the champion. His only stakes win this year came in the Belmont when he won at nearly 25-1. However, he has been very consistent this year. He has only finished out of the top three once and that was a fourth place finish in the Travers Stakes (GI). He will need a dominant Clark victory to be voted the champion in this division.

Turf Female (in alphabetical order)

Here’s yet another fairly wide open division. Like many of the other divisions, the horse that seemed to be the standout failed to live up to expectations.

Dubawi Heights: Two grade one wins, a second place finish in another grade one, a grade three win, and a sixth place finish in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (GI) might garner this filly the award for champion female turf horse. However, her loss in the Beverly D. Stakes (GI) to Stacelita may keep her from that title. From my standpoint, however, she performed much better than Stacelita did when it counted most. In the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Dubawi heights finished sixth, beaten less than three lengths while Stacelita finished tenth of eleven, beaten nearly six and one-half lengths. The winner of that race was Perfect Shirl, who at nearly 28-1 will not get the award. Of the top contenders for Turf Female in the race, Dubawi Heights ran the best. I’d vote for her.

Never Retreat: She won five graded stakes this year, including the First Lady Stakes (GI) at Keeneland last out. She won half of her races and was out of the money just twice. After defeating a talented field in the First Lady, her earnings for the year totaled $872,288. The main flaws on her 2011 résumé are her disappointing finishes in the Churchill Distaff Mile Stakes (GI), won by Aviate, and in the Beverly D. Stakes (GI), won by Stacelita. She's a talented mare, but her poor finishes in those races may keep her from winning this title.

Stacelita: This French-bred has run her last four starts in the United States. In her first start in America, Stacelita ran third against males in the United Nations Stakes (GI). She then dominantly defeated talented turf females in two grade ones: the Beverly D. and the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes. However, she turned in an extremely lackluster performance in the race that would have clinched this award for her, the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. That dull performance in the championship race tells me someone else should be the champion.

Winter Memories: This striking gray showed the most brilliance this year. However, she only won one grade one, the Garden City Stakes. Yet she won three straight graded stakes: the Appalachian Stakes (GIII), the Sands Point Stakes (GIII), and the Lake George Stakes (GII). She only lost two starts this year: the Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes (GII) and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (GI). She finished fourth in both. She and Dubawi Heights have the least amount of losses of these four fillies. However, as talented as Winter Memories is, Dubawi Heights has more prestige on her résumé.

Dubawi Heights has as many grade one wins as Stacelita and finished much better than Stacelita did in the Breeders’ Cup. I believe she deserves this award, but Stacelita’s dominance prior to the Breeders’ Cup may wrap up this award for her.

Turf Male (in alphabetical order)

We’ve seen two very talented turf males reel off win after win in 2011, but on separate coasts. However, a bias will keep one horse from getting it over the other.

Acclamation: It’s unfortunate that a horse can win five straight graded stakes, three of which are grade ones, and not win an Eclipse Award. However, that’s what happens when there’s another horse that has won three straight grade ones and came from Europe. Let’s focus on the winner of five straight first. Acclamation had a disappointing start to the year, but after a tenth place finish in the Charles Town Classic in the slop, the five-year-old returned to the turf. He won the Jim Murray Handicap (GII) at Hollywood Park for the second year in a row, dominating the field by seven lengths. He then reeled off wins in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (GI), the Eddie Read Stakes (GI), the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (GI), and the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (GII). An injury knocked him out of the Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI), which if he’d have won, he’d have sealed this award. Acclamation has two major knocks against him:  voters tend to go for East Coast horses over West Coast horses (Acclamation made all but one of his starts in California this year) and only two of his grade one wins were on turf, the other having come on the synthetic. He won’t get this award, but he definitely does deserve some award after his tremendous year in 2011.

Cape Blanco: Cape Blanco’s final three starts came in the United States. All three of them were grade one turf victories. After coming from Europe, where he was a group one winner twice in 2010, Cape Blanco dominated turf males in three of our most prestigious grade ones. In his first start stateside, he defeated two-time champion turf male, Gio Ponti, by a decisive two and one-quarter lengths in the Man o’ War Stakes (GI). Next out, Cape Blanco did the same by an extra quarter of a length in one of the most prestigious turf races in the United States, the Arlington Million Stakes (GI). Over very boggy turf going in his final race, Cape Blanco battled with Dean’s Kitten to prevail in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (GI). He came out of that race with a career-ending injury, which, like Acclamation, kept him out of the Breeders’ Cup. Though he did not win as many in a row as Acclamation, he won more grade ones on turf and voters are more likely to give the edge to a European that won three grade ones in America. This award is Cape Blanco’s for the taking.

Older Female

A simple vote:

Havre de Grace: This is simple. Havre de Grace will be named Older Female of 2011. However, it must be pointed out that Blind Luck is the better horse. In their six meetings, Blind Luck defeated Havre de Grace four times. Yet, Havre de Grace has much more on her résumé this year and will come away an easy winner of this division and likely Horse of the Year as well.

Older Male (in alphabetical order)

The older male division was one of the most jumbled of 2011. Each one of these horses is likely to garner votes and it will be a tough call for voters.

Acclamation: As mentioned, this horse deserves some award, but he’s unlikely to get this one, despite the fact that he has more grade one wins than the dirt horses in this division. Here’s to hoping he comes back just as good next year to win an Eclipse Award!

Cape Blanco: With talented dirt males in this division, Cape Blanco likely won’t get this award, even though he has more grade one wins this year. He is very talented, but he’s likely to only take home the Turf Male award.

Flat Out: As the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Flat Out did not live up to expectations, finishing fifth. However, he has a good body of work over the year to assist him in winning this award. Kicking off the year with a fast-closing second in the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII), Flat Out finished a disappointing sixth in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) at Churchill Downs. Afterwards came his breakthrough performance: a dominating win in the Suburban Hanidcap (GII). After that spectacular win, the son of Flatter turned in two second place finishes in grade ones, finishing second behind Tizway in the Whitney Invitational Handicap and placing second behind Havre de Grace in the Woodward Stakes. Flat Out’s first grade one win came in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (GI), which was his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. He is expected to run in the Clark Handicap (GI) on Friday. If he wins that race, choosing the winner of this division becomes even harder.

Game on Dude (in the blue) and Flat Out (in the red)
Photo by Mary Cage

Game on Dude: Drosselmeyer will likely garner some votes in this division, but not enough to win. So, discounting Drosselmeyer, Game on Dude had the best Breeders’ Cup finish of all horses in this division. He was just caught in the final strides of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which if he’d have won, he would have clinched this award and Horse of the Year. On his 2011 résumé are two grade one wins: a victory in the Santa Anita Handicap and a triumph in the Goodwood Stakes. Just a scant nose kept him from a third grade one win in the Hollywood Gold Cup. The only race in which Game on Dude failed to finish in the top three was the Pacific Classic Stakes (GI), in which the Bob Baffert trainee finished fourth over a track surface he didn’t handle well. He also finished second in the Charles Town Classic Stakes (GIII) and third in the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII), the latter of which he finished behind Awesome Gem and Flat Out. Though Flat Out defeated him there, Game on Dude defeated him by nearly two lengths when it counted most: the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI). Game on Dude is the deserving winner of Older Male and if Flat Out does not win the Clark, this award will likely go to Game on Dude.

Tizway: Like Game on Dude, Tizway has two grade one wins in 2011. However, a fever kept him out of the Jockey Club Gold Cup and an injury kept him out of the Breeders’ Cup. He only ran four times this year, finishing third in both the Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII) and the Charles Town Classic Stakes (GIII), the latter of which he finished behind Duke of Mischief and Game on Dude. Tizway then went on to record victories in the Metropolitan Handicap (GI) and the Whitney Invitational Handicap (GI). He defeated Flat Out in the Whitney. Though he is a very talented horse, I don’t think he has enough credentials to win this award.

Male Sprinter (in alphabetical order)

There were many talented sprinters this year, but by the conclusion of the Breeders’ Cup, the top two emerged. It is clear which one will win this award, due to prestige and amount of grade one wins.

Amazombie
Photo by Mary Cage

Amazombie: Though there were plenty of other good sprinters in 2011, Amazombie will be the champion sprinter. With two grade one wins – including a championship win – and a grade two win, Amazombie will come away the Male Sprinter of 2011.

Regally Ready: He’s a very worthy candidate, but with one less grade one win than Amazombie and a less prestigious Breeders’ Cup win, Regally Ready will be outvoted by Amazombie.

Female Sprinter (in alphabetical order)

This award was supposed to be Turbulent Descent’s for the taking, but when an underdog by the name of Musical Romance stepped in and won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, she made quite the case for herself.

Musical Romance: This filly ran a remarkable fourteen times this year, eleven of those starts coming in Florida. After a string of five fourth and fifth place finishes that lasted from January to April, Musical Romance has not finished out of the money since. She won three stakes in Florida this year and finished second or third in three others, including a second place finish in the Princess Rooney Handicap (GI) at Calder. Her starts outside of Florida were very successful. In her first start outside of Florida this year, she won the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (GII). Racing against very talented fillies and mares in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (GII), she missed first by just a head, finishing second to Holiday for Kitten. Then came her shining moment: an impressive victory in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI). She may be disrespected for being a Calder-based horse, but I don’t see any point in that. She ran fourteen times this year and had a tremendous year that was capped off with a championship victory. She deserves to be Female Sprinter of 2011.

Turbulent Descent: She won two grade ones this year, but only one came at a sprinting distance. After finishing second in the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI), she won the Santa Anita Oaks (GI). Neither were sprint races. She then began her sprinting path. She won the seven furlong Beaumont Stakes (GII) prior to finishing second in the TVG Acorn Stakes (GI). After a very impressive victory in the Test Stakes (GI), Turbulent Descent became the favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI). However, she ran poorly when it mattered most and finished fifth. Her brilliance prior to the Breeders’ Cup may allow her to win this award, but I think Musical Romance is the deserving winner here.

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Who's Horse of the Year?

Though there is still over a month of 2011 left, the discussion of which horse will be crowned Horse of the Year is gracing headlines of many racing publications. Though there are some divisional championships that need no discussion, there is plenty of confusion over many of the awards, including the most coveted of them all: Horse of the Year.

The past two years, Horse of the Year has been a raging debate that included a great mare by the name of Zenyatta. Fans of Rachel Alexandra, Blame, and Zenyatta argued over which horse should be named Horse of the Year, giving plenty of reasons as to why they were on the side they were on.

This year won’t be such a heated debate, however. Though lacking the battle between horses like the debate of 2009 Horse of the Year and 2010 Horse of the Year featured, 2011 Horse of the Year is still a tough decision. As we look back on the 2011 racing season, it is very unclear. By the conclusion of the Breeders’ Cup, no horse emerged as the top horse in the nation. Voters have a tough decision to make. Though there are plenty of horses deserving of this award, I have listed just five contenders for Horse of the Year in alphabetical order.

Drosselmeyer
Photo: Terri Cage

Drosselmeyer: He’s no longer the forgotten Belmont Stakes (GI) winner. Drosselmeyer is now one of the first horses that comes to mind when one thinks of the top horses in the nation. Of course, this is due to his recent Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) win under Mike Smith. Though Drosselmeyer recorded the most prestigious win of all the Horse of the Year contenders, he does not have enough on his résumé to take home the award. His only other win this year came in the $60,000 One Count Stakes at Belmont Park. Despite the fact that he defeated eventual grade two winner Birdrun (who would defeat Drosselmeyer next out), grade three victor Inherit the Gold, multiple stakes winner Alma d’Oro, eventual Breeders’ Cup Marathon (GII) winner Afleet Again, and stakes winner Edgewater, the race was not Horse of the Year material. One of Drosselmeyer’s most impressive performances this year was a closing second to Flat Out in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) prior to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Though I think Drosselmeyer is the best older horse in the country, I do not believe he has enough credentials to earn Horse of the Year, let alone Older Male.

Game on Dude
Photo by Mary Cage

Game on Dude: Excluding Drosselmeyer, who likely will not receive Horse of the Year, Game on Dude had the best Classic finish of the top Horse of the Year candidates. In the Classic, he finished a hard-trying second and was just passed in the final strides. He defeated the talented filly Havre de Grace, who is considered the top choice for Horse of the Year by many, by a length and a half. He won two grade ones this year, the Santa Anita Handicap and the Goodwood Stakes. He missed out on winning three grade ones by just a nose when stablemate First Dude nipped him at the wire in the Hollywood Gold Cup Hanidcap. Game on Dude finished out of the top three just once in eight starts this year, when he finished fourth over a track he did not care for in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (GI). Only three of his races were not grade ones: his impressive win in an allowance optional claiming at Santa Anita, his second place finish in the Charles Town Classic Stakes (GIII), and his third place finish in the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII). Game on Dude was on the scene all year, competing at the highest level. In fact, his last four starts were all grade ones. Unfortunately, I do not believe Game on Dude will be voted Horse of the Year, but if I could vote, I would choose Game on Dude for his success and competitiveness at the highest level all year.

Havre de Grace
Photo by Mary Cage

Havre de Grace: Many of the people who are claiming Horse of the Year a mess are also claiming that they believe Havre de Grace will be Horse of the Year. Though she is not on the same level as the past two female winners of Horse of the Year (Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta), the daughter of Saint Liam is very talented. Of all Horse of the Year candidates, she had the most grade one wins. However, her Breeders’ Cup performance wasn’t quite worthy of Horse of the Year. Like Game on Dude, three of Havre de Grace’s starts were not grade ones. Two of those three were wins. The one that was not was a loss to champion Blind Luck. Though Havre de Grace won three grade ones this year, including a win against males in the Woodward Stakes (GI), her race against the best in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was not what she needed to secure Horse of the Year. She was defeated by three lengths in the Classic, with Drosselmeyer, Game on Dude, and Ruler on Ice finishing ahead of her. Zenyatta may have won Horse of the Year despite losing the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, but she was only beaten by half a head. I believe Havre de Grace will come away with the title of Horse of the Year and though I don’t think she is as deserving as Game on Dude, I do think she is plenty worthy of the award.

My Miss Aurelia
Photo: Terri Cage

My Miss Aurelia: I’ve followed this special filly since the post parade before her maiden race. She is one of many deserving Horse of the Year contenders. In fact, she could have the best credentials of all of them. She’s undefeated, a winner of three graded stakes, a dual grade one winner, and a dominant Breeders’ Cup champion. She had a flawless campaign and in four starts, she had a total winning margin of nine and three-quarters lengths (an average winning margin of nearly two and one-half lengths). I believe My Miss Aurelia is a very deserving Horse of the Year. However, it is unlikely that a two-year-old will be voted Horse of the Year.

Royal Delta: In what I saw as one of the most impressive Breeders’ Cup victories, Royal Delta won the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI) by two and one-half lengths. Her other grade one win besides that championship win was a dominant win in the TVG Alabama Stakes (GI) at Saratoga. Royal Delta’s other graded stakes appearances include a win in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII), a third place finish in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (GI), and a second place finish to Havre de Grace in the Beldame Invitational Stakes (GI). The main thing that will prevent Royal Delta from winning Horse of the Year is her eight and one-quarter-length loss to Havre de Grace in the Beldame. Royal Delta will not be Horse of the Year, but she will be Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.

Royal Delta
Photo: Terri Cage

All of the mentioned horses are very talented. However, as mentioned, if I could vote, my vote would go to Game on Dude. It’s a tough decision for me between My Miss Aurelia and Game on Dude, but I believe as an older horse, Game on Dude has an edge over My Miss Aurelia. There are also the extremely talented and multiple grade one-winning turf horses Acclamation and Cape Blanco. Yet, I don’t think these horses will be crowned the champion of the year. Likely, Havre de Grace will become the third female in a row to be voted 2011 Horse of the Year.

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