Keeneland Graded Stakes Standings
Nov 7, 2013 21:31:58 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Nov 7, 2013 21:31:58 GMT -5
Keeneland Presents American Graded Stakes Standings: Sorting Out Division Titles
by Mary Schweitzer
PaulickReport
While there are still nearly two months left in the year, the bulk of the major stakes races are in the books and for some Eclipse Award voters, the results of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships ‘sealed the deal’.
However, there are still a few divisions that aren’t cut-and-dried and are too close to call.
Sure Bets?
Older Female: Even though she was unable to win her third consecutive BC Distaff, Royal Delta should once again take home the Eclipse Award for champion older mare. The daughter of Empire Maker won three graded stakes this year – the Delaware Handicap and Personal Ensign (both G1), and the G3 Sabin Stakes. The Bill Mott trainee also finished second in the G1 Beldame and G2 Fleur de Lis Handicap. Early in the year it appeared as though Joyful Victory or Authenticity might give Royal Delta a run for her money; however, Joyful Victory was retired before the Breeders’ Cup, and Authenticity was unable to capture a Grade 1.
Turf Male/Horse of the Year: Wise Dan mostly likely wrapped up these categories with his emphatic win in the BC Mile. The 6-year-old gelding finished first in six graded stakes this year, four of them Grade 1 victories – the aforementioned BC Mile, the Maker’s 46 Mile, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, and the Woodbine Mile.
Game On Dude was the frontrunner for Horse of the Year heading into the Breeders’ Cup, but his poor performance in the Classic may have sealed it for Wise Dan.
2-Year-old Female: Despite being disqualified from first in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, She’s a Tiger was the most consistent 2-year-old of either sex this year. The daughter of Tale of the Cat started six times, winning three races and finishing second three times. She’s a Tiger captured the G1 Del Mar Debutante and Landaluce Stakes and placed in the BC Juvenile Fillies, Chandelier (both G1), and the G2 Sorrento.
Female Sprinter: Groupie Doll may not have been as consistent this year as she was in 2012, but the 5-year-old mare certainly saved her best performance for her last, as she powered to her second consecutive win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Another possible contender for the female sprint crown could end up being Mizdirection, who has four graded stakes wins to her credit, including a repeat victory in the G1 BC Turf Sprint.
Open for Debate?
Male Sprinter: It appeared as though Sahara Sky might dominate this division earlier this season after his win in the G1 Met Mile, but an injury sidelined him for the second half of the year. There’s only been one horse this year that has more than one Grade 1 sprint victory – the late Points Offthebench, who won both the Bing Crosby and Santa Anita Sprint Championship. However, Secret Circle will certainly get some votes after capturing the BC Sprint in just his second start since April 2012.
Turf Mare: More than likely, the Eclipse Award will go to British invader Dank, who made her two U.S. appearances winning ones. The daughter of Dansili scored wins in both the G1 Beverly D. Stakes and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Her main rival for this honor is Laughing, who rattled off four straight graded stakes wins (including the G1 Diana and G1 Flower Bowl) before finishing off the board in the Breeders’ Cup.
2-Year-Old Male: Although there are some talented colts in this division, there hasn’t been a standout so far. Strong Mandate looked to be a powerhouse in the G1 Hopeful, but has not won since then. Havana was a determined winner of the G1 Champagne, but gave way in the stretch to longshot New Year’s Day in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Voters may decide to wait and see who shows up for the G1 CashCall Futurity before making their decision.
3-Year-old Filly: Going into the Breeders’ Cup, Princess of Sylmar was the leader of this division, hands down. The daughter of Majestic Warrior had notched four Grade 1 victories, with prestigious wins coming in the Kentucky Oaks, Alabama, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Beldame (in which she defeated Royal Delta). A subpar performance in the BC Distaff, however, opened the door for Beholder, whose win in the Distaff gave her a fourth Grade 1 victory for the year. In addition to the Distaff, Beholder captured the Zenyatta Stakes, Santa Anita Oaks, and Las Virgenes Stakes. The determining factor may end up being the KY Oaks, in which Beholder finished second to Princess of Sylmar.
3-Year-Old Male: In all likelihood, Will Take Charge wrapped up this division with his runner-up finish in the BC Classic. The son of Unbridled’s Song has really rounded into form during the second half of the year, beginning with his second-place finish in the G2 Jim Dandy. From there, the chestnut captured the G1 Travers and the G2 Pennsylvania Derby. In addition, Will Take Charge won both the G3 Smarty Jones and the G2 Rebel Stakes earlier this year. However, both Orb and Verrazano have two Grade 1 victories to their credit. Orb won both the Florida and Kentucky Derbies, while Verrazano captured the Wood Memorial and Haskell Invitational. Verrazano’s connections are mulling a start in the G1 Cigar Mile later this month, while D. Wayne Lukas may run Will Take Charge in the G1 Clark Handicap.
Older Horse: Last year, Wise Dan captured this division on his way to Horse of the Year honors, and he has a good chance to win it this year. However, Mucho Macho Man just may pop up and win this category, off his impressive victories in both the BC Classic and G1 Awesome Again Stakes.
by Mary Schweitzer
PaulickReport
While there are still nearly two months left in the year, the bulk of the major stakes races are in the books and for some Eclipse Award voters, the results of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships ‘sealed the deal’.
However, there are still a few divisions that aren’t cut-and-dried and are too close to call.
Sure Bets?
Older Female: Even though she was unable to win her third consecutive BC Distaff, Royal Delta should once again take home the Eclipse Award for champion older mare. The daughter of Empire Maker won three graded stakes this year – the Delaware Handicap and Personal Ensign (both G1), and the G3 Sabin Stakes. The Bill Mott trainee also finished second in the G1 Beldame and G2 Fleur de Lis Handicap. Early in the year it appeared as though Joyful Victory or Authenticity might give Royal Delta a run for her money; however, Joyful Victory was retired before the Breeders’ Cup, and Authenticity was unable to capture a Grade 1.
Turf Male/Horse of the Year: Wise Dan mostly likely wrapped up these categories with his emphatic win in the BC Mile. The 6-year-old gelding finished first in six graded stakes this year, four of them Grade 1 victories – the aforementioned BC Mile, the Maker’s 46 Mile, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, and the Woodbine Mile.
Game On Dude was the frontrunner for Horse of the Year heading into the Breeders’ Cup, but his poor performance in the Classic may have sealed it for Wise Dan.
2-Year-old Female: Despite being disqualified from first in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, She’s a Tiger was the most consistent 2-year-old of either sex this year. The daughter of Tale of the Cat started six times, winning three races and finishing second three times. She’s a Tiger captured the G1 Del Mar Debutante and Landaluce Stakes and placed in the BC Juvenile Fillies, Chandelier (both G1), and the G2 Sorrento.
Female Sprinter: Groupie Doll may not have been as consistent this year as she was in 2012, but the 5-year-old mare certainly saved her best performance for her last, as she powered to her second consecutive win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Another possible contender for the female sprint crown could end up being Mizdirection, who has four graded stakes wins to her credit, including a repeat victory in the G1 BC Turf Sprint.
Open for Debate?
Male Sprinter: It appeared as though Sahara Sky might dominate this division earlier this season after his win in the G1 Met Mile, but an injury sidelined him for the second half of the year. There’s only been one horse this year that has more than one Grade 1 sprint victory – the late Points Offthebench, who won both the Bing Crosby and Santa Anita Sprint Championship. However, Secret Circle will certainly get some votes after capturing the BC Sprint in just his second start since April 2012.
Turf Mare: More than likely, the Eclipse Award will go to British invader Dank, who made her two U.S. appearances winning ones. The daughter of Dansili scored wins in both the G1 Beverly D. Stakes and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Her main rival for this honor is Laughing, who rattled off four straight graded stakes wins (including the G1 Diana and G1 Flower Bowl) before finishing off the board in the Breeders’ Cup.
2-Year-Old Male: Although there are some talented colts in this division, there hasn’t been a standout so far. Strong Mandate looked to be a powerhouse in the G1 Hopeful, but has not won since then. Havana was a determined winner of the G1 Champagne, but gave way in the stretch to longshot New Year’s Day in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Voters may decide to wait and see who shows up for the G1 CashCall Futurity before making their decision.
3-Year-old Filly: Going into the Breeders’ Cup, Princess of Sylmar was the leader of this division, hands down. The daughter of Majestic Warrior had notched four Grade 1 victories, with prestigious wins coming in the Kentucky Oaks, Alabama, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Beldame (in which she defeated Royal Delta). A subpar performance in the BC Distaff, however, opened the door for Beholder, whose win in the Distaff gave her a fourth Grade 1 victory for the year. In addition to the Distaff, Beholder captured the Zenyatta Stakes, Santa Anita Oaks, and Las Virgenes Stakes. The determining factor may end up being the KY Oaks, in which Beholder finished second to Princess of Sylmar.
3-Year-Old Male: In all likelihood, Will Take Charge wrapped up this division with his runner-up finish in the BC Classic. The son of Unbridled’s Song has really rounded into form during the second half of the year, beginning with his second-place finish in the G2 Jim Dandy. From there, the chestnut captured the G1 Travers and the G2 Pennsylvania Derby. In addition, Will Take Charge won both the G3 Smarty Jones and the G2 Rebel Stakes earlier this year. However, both Orb and Verrazano have two Grade 1 victories to their credit. Orb won both the Florida and Kentucky Derbies, while Verrazano captured the Wood Memorial and Haskell Invitational. Verrazano’s connections are mulling a start in the G1 Cigar Mile later this month, while D. Wayne Lukas may run Will Take Charge in the G1 Clark Handicap.
Older Horse: Last year, Wise Dan captured this division on his way to Horse of the Year honors, and he has a good chance to win it this year. However, Mucho Macho Man just may pop up and win this category, off his impressive victories in both the BC Classic and G1 Awesome Again Stakes.