2014 1st Half Awards (Worldwide)

Believe it or not, six months of 2014 are gone! The Triple Crown talk now moves up to Canada where the Queen's Plate happens on Sunday. For now though I thought this would be a good time for Furlong Drive's 2014 1st Half Awards. Just a note that these rankings are for 3yo+ and will be focusing on Worldwide horses and not just America. Which means, that there will be some that will be a bit "out there" for those who don't follow International racing, but to those who do it won't be a problem. I know that normally these lists are just US only, but just wanted to do something different this time around. So here they are!

3yo Female- Untapable: There's no question about it, the KY Oaks winner is the #1 three year old on dirt regardless of sex and the best 3yo female in the World. She will likely be taking on males in her next race which will either be the Haskell (which her trainer won in 2009 with another super filly) or the Jim Dandy (where she will face Tonalist).

3yo Male- Australia: On dirt yes California Chrome, even with his loss in the Belmont, is tops. However, this son of two legendary horses has already won 2 Derbies (Epsom and Irish). While he is likely not a Breeders' Cup candidate this year (depending on how well it actually goes), he might be a serious challenger for next year.

Older Male- Palace Malice: He was pretty good at 3, but has turned into a superstar now at 4. The Older Males hasn't been a bright spot in the US for sometime. Is he to pull this division out of the doldrums?

Older Female- Close Hatches and The Fugue: The former last year was a touch below Beholder and Princess of Sylmar. This year she has won 2 G1's including the Phipps over the two previously mentioned horses. The latter has been so close in winning 2 BC races. In her last she defeated Dank, Treve and Magician, three horses who she hasn't had the best of luck against in the past.

These are going to be the only ones that I am doing, however others considered where Just a Way and California Chrome for their divisions. My plans are to preview the Cartiers (Europe's end of the year awards) and the Eclipses. Stay tuned for those previews at the end of the year and the beginning of 2015.