In the eyes of the everyday sports fan, the flagship for the sport of Thoroughbred racing is normally the three-year-old male division. These are the runners that compete in the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races which draw more public eyes. Given that different runners have stepped up or not at different times, who is in front when it comes to year-end recognition as the top dog in this division?
Injury and different circumstances make for much debate. As these stellar athletes line up to see who will be declared as “best in show”, let’s fuel some conversation with a few thoughts.
One of the top consideration points is usually THE race in the game, the Kentucky Derby. Rich Strike was the eleventh-hour entrant that shocked the world at 80-1 but has done little since. A couple of admirable efforts by Richie were good, but no wins since likely means no cigar.
Epicenter is the horse that was supposed to win the Run for the Roses but got ran down in deep stretch beneath those twin spires. Four wins and three seconds in eight starts this year speaks of his quality. He also finished second in the Preakness, won the Grade 1 Travers Stakes, and won three grade 2 events (Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Jim Dandy). His final start of the year, however, saw him pulled up due to injury in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Cyberknife finished a disappointing 18th in the Kentucky Derby but has four wins, two seconds, and a third in nine starts this year. Wins in the grade 1 Arkansas Derby and grade 1 Haskell along with a gutty triumph in the grade 3 Matt Winn might cut him into the conversation. Beaten a head in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in his last start is something that bodes well for this Brad Cox trainee.
Mo Donegal might draw a few looks as he did win the Belmont Stakes and also used his late running style to capture the Wood Memorial as well. A bad trip cost him in the Kentucky Derby, but he still got up for fifth in that one. His major detraction is injury took him off the scene and his Belmont triumph on June 11 was the last time he raced in 2022.
Early Voting skipped the Kentucky Derby and then promptly won the Preakness in impressive style. He also won the Grade 3 Withers Stakes in February but finished fourth in the Jim Dandy and a disappointing eighth in the Travers Stakes. This dog may not have hunted enough in 2022, but a Triple Crown race win provides some prominence.
Taiba might be the horse that is closing fast on the outside here. This son of Gun Runner has two grade 1 wins this year (Santa Anita Derby, Pennsylvania Derby) and a VERY close second in the Haskell. Yes, he was a troubled twelfth in the Kentucky Derby but that was just the third career start and this Bob Baffert-trained son of Gun Runner finished a very respectable third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last out. Slated to run in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on December 26, the fleet-footed Taiba could pick up a third grade 1 win on the year, something no three-year-old male has done. HMMMMMMMMMM…
The wire may be in sight, but the debate race is far from over in this division for year-end accolades.
Taiba and jockey Mike Smith win the Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.
© BENOIT PHOTO
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