As 2015 comes to the end, I will be sharing what I believe are the best 2 year olds of 2015. It has been a remarkable year with American Pharoah ending the Triple Crown drought but we have had some incredible two year olds as well.
Top 6 Two Year Old Males
(in no particular order)
(in no particular order)
( Uncle Mo - Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry) Jockey: Mario Gutierrez Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill Owner: Reddam Racing LLC Breeder: Summerhill Farm Race Record: 5:5-0-0 - Nyquist, owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O'Neill, the bay colt by Uncle Mo is undefeated in five life time starts. His first start was on June 5th in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita. He also ran in the G2 Best Pal Stakes, G1 Del Mar Futurity, G1 Frontrunner Stakes, and G1 BC Juvenile, winning them all and remaining undefeated.
( Eskendereya - Im a Dixie Girl, by Dixie Union) Jockey: Gary L. Stevens Trainer: Bob Baffert Owner: Michael Lund Petersen Breeder: Elkstone Group, LLC Race Record: 4; 2-2-0 - Mor Spirit made his debut on September 27th in a six furlong Maiden Special Weight. He finished second to Street Vision. His next start was another Maiden Special Weight at Santa Anita going one mile. Mor Spirit was able to break his maiden on his second try. Next, Mor Spirit went into Graded Stakes company in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club only to finish second to Airoforce by a neck. In his most recent start, Mor Spirit ran in the G1 Los Alamitos Futurity. Going in as the favorite, Mor Spirit delivered beating stablemate Toews On Ice.
( Tapit - Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union) Jockey: Junior Alvarado Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin Owner: Shadwell Stable Breeder: Clearsky Farms Race Record: 3; 3 - 0 - 0 - Trained and Owned by the same duo as the talented Frosted, Mohaymen, a $2.2 million dollar yearling is undefeated in all three of his starts. His first start was on September 19th, a Maiden Special Weight at Belmont Park going 6 furlongs. The grey colt's next race was in the G2 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct. He won again becoming a G2 winner. His most recent race was in the G2 Remsen Stakes also at Aqueduct. Mohaymen made it three for three winning that as well.
( Birdstone - Avalanche Lily, by Grand Slam) Jockey: Victor Espinoza Trainer: J. Keith Desormeaux Owner: Big Chief Racing, LLC, Justice, James C. and Shelton, Billy R. Breeder: Lou Oppenheim Race Record: 7; 1 - 5 - 1 - Swipe ran his first race on May 22nd in a Maiden Special Weight at Santa Anita going four and a half furlongs. He finished second to Dubdubwatson. In his next start, Swipe ran in the Tremont at Belmont Park. He finished third. Swipe returned to California for his next start, the Summer Juvenile Championship. He won this time out breaking his maiden. Swipe next ran in the G2 Best Pal Stakes. This race would start the rivalry between him and Nyquist who he finished second to. The bay son of Birdstone next ran in the G1 Del Mar Futurity and once again finished second to Nyquist, On September 26th, Swipe ran in the G1 Frontrunner Stakes. For a third time her finished second to Nyquist. In his most recent start, Swipe went to Keeneland for the G1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile, once again he was second to Nyquist,
( Colonel John - Chocolate Pop, by Cuvee) Jockey: Julien R. Leparoux Trainer: Mark E. Casse Owner: John C. Oxley Breeder: Stewart M. Madison Race Record: 4; 3 - 1 - 0 - Airoforce made his first start on turf on September 5th in a Maiden Special Weight at Kentucky Downs going six furlongs. He won breaking his maiden first time around. He next went to graded stakes company in the G3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland. He won that as well. Airoforce then ran in the G1 Breeder's Cup Turf Juvenile. He finished second to Hit It A Bomb. In his most recent start, Airoforce switched to dirt and ran in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club in which he returned to his winning ways.
( Giant's Causeway - Sweet Breanna, by Sahm) Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie Trainer: Dale L. Romans Owner: Albaugh Family Stable Breeder: Gabriel Duignan, William Arvin, Jr. & Petaluma Bloodstock Race Record: 4; 2 - 0 - 1 - Brody's Cause made his first start on August 8th in a Maiden Special Weight going a mile at Ellis Park. He finished 8th. Brody tried again in another Maiden Special Weight on September 11th going a mile at Churchill Downs. He won, breaking his maiden on the second try. Next, he went into graded stakes company in the G1 Breeder's Futurity going a mile and a sixteenth at Keeneland. Pulling an upset, Brody's Cause won. In his most recent start, Brody ran in the G1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile and finished 3rd to Swipe and Nyquist. |
Top 6 Two Year Old Fillies
(in no particular order)
(in no particular order)
( Medaglia d'Oro - Ivanavinalot, by West Acre) Jockey: Mike E. Smith Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Owner: Fox Hill Farms, Inc. Breeder: John Antonelli Race Record: 4 ; 4 - 0 - 0 - Songbird made her first start on July 26th in a Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs at Del Mar. She won, breaking her on the first try. Next, Songbird went into graded stakes company in the G1 Del Mar Debutante going seven furlongs. She won again. Her next start was in the G1 Chandelier at Santa Anita. She won once again, making it three for three. In her most recent start, Songbird ran in the G1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile. Pulling away, she won by 5 and 3/4 length staying undefeated.
( Bernardini - Rachel Alexandra, by Medaglia d'Oro) Jockey: John R. Velazquez Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher Owner: Stonestreet Stables LLC Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC Race Record: 3 ; 2 - 1 - 0 - Rachel's Valentina by champion mare Rachel Alexandra, made her debut on August 2nd in a Maiden Special Weight going six furlongs at Saratoga. She won, breaking her maiden on the first try. Next, Rachel's Valentina went to graded stakes company. She ran in the G1 Spinaway Stakes going seven furlongs. She won, being undefeated. In her most recent start she ran in the G1 Breeder's Cup juvenile fillies. She finished second to Songbird.
( Scat Daddy - Nina Fever, by Borrego) Jockey: Javier Castellano Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Owner: LNJ Foxwoods Breeder: Michael Hui Race Record: 4 ; 2 - 0 - 0 - Nickname's first start was on August 2nd going six furlongs at Saratoga. She finished forth. In her next race, Nickname ran in another Maiden Special Weight going six furlongs. She won, breaking her maiden on the second try. Next, Nickname went into graded stakes company. She ran in the G1 Frizette Stakes going a mile at Belmont Park. She won once again. In Nickname's most recent start, she ran in the G1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile. She finished fourth.
( Scat Daddy - Stayclassysandiego, by Rockport Harbor) Jockey: Martin Garcia Trainer: Bob Baffert Owner: Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul Breeder: Nancy C. Shuford Race Record: 6 ; 3 - 1 - 0 - Pretty N Cool ran her first race on July 19th in a Maiden Special Weight going 5 furlongs at Del Mar. She won, breaking her maiden first time out. She then went to graded stakes in the G2 Sorrento Stakes. She won again becoming undefeated. Pretty N Cool next ran in the G1 Del Mar Debutante. She finished second to Songbird, breaking her win streak. She next ran in the G2 Matron Stakes going six furlongs at Belmont Park. She returned to her winning ways, winning over Constellation. She returned to Del Mar to run in the Desi Arnaz Stakes. She finished fifth. Staying in California, Pretty N Cool ran in the G1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos. She finished fourth.
( Uncle Mo - Gentle Audrey, by Elusive Quality) Jockey: Mario Gutierrez Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill Owner: Reddam Racing LLC Breeder: John Liviakis Race Record: 5 ; 2 - 1 - 2 - Gomo made her debut on June 4th in a Maiden Special Weight at Santa Anita going five furlongs. She finished third. In her next start, Gomo ran in another Maiden Special Weight going a mile. She won, breaking her maiden. She then went into graded stakes races in the G2 Sorrento. She finished second to Pretty N Cool. Next, Gomo tried turf in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf. She finished third. In her most recent start, Gomo ran in the G1 Alcibiades Stakes. In the slop, Gomo pulled out a win.
( Pure Prize - Sharaiji Blossom, by Saint Ballado) Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek Owner: Magdalena Racing (Kenneth G. McPeek et al.) Breeder: Liberty Road Stables Race Record: 5 ; 2 - 1 - 1 - Dorthraki Queen made her debut on July 12th in a Maiden Special Weight going a mile at Ellis Park. She won, breaking her maiden. In her next start Dothraki Queen went into graded stakes company in the G2 Pocahontas. She won becoming two for two. She next ran in the G1 Alcibiades. She finished second behind Gomo. Next, she ran in the G1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile. She finished third, behind Songbird and Rachel's Valentina. In her most recent start, Dothraki Queen ran in the G2 Golden Rod going a mile and a sixteenth at Churchill Downs. She finished fourth. |
My Opinion
Males: We have had some strong male competitors all year and several remained undefeated. Currently, my favorite is Mor Spirit. He has been looking very good and his win in the Los Alamitos Futurity made me like him even more. I believe he is a strong contender for the Derby if he keeps running like he has.
Females: There has been a ton of talented females this season. I really like Songbird, she runs great every time and has won by good lengths. her win in the breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies was incredible and if she keeps running like she does I could see her winning the Oaks easily.
Who's your pick?
Females: There has been a ton of talented females this season. I really like Songbird, she runs great every time and has won by good lengths. her win in the breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies was incredible and if she keeps running like she does I could see her winning the Oaks easily.
Who's your pick?