It's interesting, with the dominance shown this season by three older males – Flightline, Life is Good and Olympiad – one would believe that the list of win contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic is quite short. But when taking into account several variables, I view the Classic this year as wide open, with the potential to offer great value on several horses who will be overlays and who will be in with a great chances. Before I explain my thoughts,  let's take a look at this week's Division Rankings.

Older dirt males 1. Life Is Good. Ran a monster race in the Whitney (G1) and is clearly the best horse in the country at nine furlongs or less. Do I think he can win the Breeders' Cup Classic? No. There is no reason to believe he will show the same brilliance at 10 furlongs. The Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile would be the best path to Horse of the Year for this guy. Look for him next in the Woodward (G1) at Aqueduct or the Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs on Oct. 1.

2. Olympiad. No excuses when a dull fourth in the Whitney. Still, he gets one mulligan and is not out of this Eclipse race just yet. Needs to rebound in his next start. He will wheel back in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga on Sept. 3. Not sure he is in love with the Saratoga surface, though.

3. Flightline. His Met Mile (G1) win was good, overcoming trouble and answering several questions such as shipping across the country and the added distance. He still has questions, and the field he beat was not what I would consider good. But here he sits near the top – mainly because the horses I feel will be better at the 10-furlong distance required to win an Eclipse in this division still haven't run much in this country in 2022. With only one start on the season, he needs to do more to unseat Olympiad. He will sit for another three months and return in the 10-furlong Pacific Classic (G1) on Sept. 3.

4. Country Grammer. Returned in the recent San Diego (G2) at Del Mar and finished a good runner-up to Royal Ship at a distance that likely was too short for him. The Dubai World Cup (G1) winner will meet Flightline in the Pacific Classic for his next start.

5. Happy Saver. Yes, he moves into the top five this week. Why? Because he fires every time and has finished behind only the best in the division this year. I also believe that the 10 furlongs of the Breeders' Cup Classic will be perfect for him. A real dark horse to steal the show in November. He will go next in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Next 5: Hot Rod Charlie, Express Train, Royal Ship, Speaker's Corner, Americanrevolution.

Older dirt females 1. Clairiere. Came running again in the Shuvee (G2) three weeks ago to again defeat her rival Malathaat. That's two wins in a row now, placing her firmly at the top here. Will go next in the Personal Ensign (G1) in late August at Saratoga.

2. Malathaat. Runner-up again to Clairiere in the Shuvee, she has only a Grade 3 win on the season but she ran another big race. She too will head to the Personal Ensign for her next start.

3. Letruska. She was part of the hot pace in the Ogden Phipps (G1), but so was Search Results and she finished third. She wasn't pushed at all in the stretch, and the result was disappointing. She has shown the ability to rate before, so I am not sure why that tactic has not been used, given the pace scenarios she has had in two of her last four starts. Still here near the top of this division, but is too one-dimensional right now. She won't run again until the Personal Ensign.

4. Search Results. Much the best in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth, winning by open lengths. Look for her to appear at Saratoga for her next start.

5. Blue Stripe. This mare from South America has been getting better and better and don't be surprised to see her continue her winning ways and be a major contender on Breeders' Cup time. Scored a facile win in last week's Clement Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.

Next 5: Shedaresthedevil, Pauline's Pearl, Private Mission, Super Quick, Bonny South.

3-year-old males 1. Epicenter . Much the best in the Jim Dandy (G2), he validated his spot here. Next up is the Travers (G1), where he will be favored to win his first Grade 1 event. 2. Cyberknife. The Haskell (G1) winner has to be placed this high, considering that he is the only member of his class with two Grade 1 wins this season around two turns. Will run next in the Travers, where another win could cinch the Eclipse, given that he would have three Grade 1 wins and his closest pursuer would have only one. 3. Zandon . Runner-up in the Jim Dandy, he ran well and should get a better pace setup in the Travers. The Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner from earlier this year could be the dark horse in the Travers. 4. Early Voting. The Preakness winner had no excuses in the Jim Dandy when allowed to set moderate fractions all on his own but faded to finish fourth. Allowed a mulligan and should get a chance to return in the Travers. 5. Taiba . Looked like a winner in the stretch of the Haskell but didn't see Cyberknife until it was too late. To his credit, he did rebreak once he saw his rival but was edged at the wire. Would love to see him in the Travers. Next 5: Rich Strike, Tawny Port, Charge It, Jack Christopher, White Abarrio. 3-year-old females 1. Nest . Dominant in the CCA Oaks (G1), beating her rival Secret Oath by double-digit lengths and evening their head-to-head record. Connections have stated they likely will go next in the Alabama (G1) but hinted the Travers is still in play. Stick with the Alabama. A rubber match with Secret Oath with the Eclipse on the line is likely next. 2. Secret Oath . The Kentucky Oaks winner was just second best in the CCA Oaks. Will go next in the Alabama, which is a must-win race as far as the Eclipse is concerned. The CCA Oaks was her first loss to females this season. 3. Echo Zulu . Was a gate scratch in the Acorn (G1) last time out and has since been found to have a strain in a left front s uspensory . She previously had gained much respect with her solid run in the Kentucky Oaks, where she conceded the early lead to a long shot while attending solid early fractions only to begrudgingly give way at the end to finish fourth, beaten a length for the runner-up spot. On the shelf for now. 4. Kathleen O. Suffered her first loss when fifth in the Kentucky Oaks, but she hardly disgraced herself. She was beaten only fourth lengths for all the marbles. She's been given a freshening and will return for a fall campaign. 5.  Matareya. Was upset in the Test (G1) last week at Saratoga but will stay here for now. Previous to that she was an easy winner of the Acorn last time out, but it was missing the favorite, Echo Zulu, who was a gate scratch.

Next 5: Interstatedaydream, Under the Stars, Desert Dawn, Eda, Gerrymander.

Turf males 1. Count Again. This guy has racked up two Grade 1 wins already this season and is 3-for-4 on the year. His win over Smooth Like Strait in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) was his best effort yet. The only member of this division who has multiple Grade 1 wins on the season thus far.

2. Gufo. Started his 2022 season off right with a facile two-length win in the Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream but then finished runner-up in the Man O' War Stakes (G1) and third in the Manhattan (G1), both at Belmont Park. Should see him in a race at Saratoga.

3. Colonel Liam. He found the waters a bit too deep in the Dubai Turf (G1), where he finished ninth. Previously he ran huge in defending his Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and seemed better than ever despite his long layoff. There is a wide gap between grass horses in this country and overseas – and not for the better. Hasn't had a work in a while and will continue to drop in the coming weeks.

4. Yibir. Finally got back into the win column in the Princess of Wales's Close Brothers Stakes (G2) at Newmarket. Last year's Breeders' Cup Turf winner had two seconds and a third in his previous starts this season and will be back stateside for his next start, the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27.

5. Adhamo. Winner of the United Nations (G1) a couple weeks back, this guy has placed in all four of his graded-stakes starts this season. Starting to come into his own for trainer Chad Brown. Look for this guy to keep climbing the ranks here in this division.

Next 5: Golden Pal, Smooth Like Strait, Santin, Tribhuvan, Highland Chief.

Turf females 1. Regal Glory. Outstanding again in another Grade 1 event, this time in the Just a Game at Belmont on Belmont Stakes day. She started her season off with a win in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3) and then won the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland over a strong field. Now 3-for-3 on the season, she will take on the boys in her next start, the Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga this weekend.

2. War Like Goddess. Was dominant in her return off a layoff in last week's Glens Falls (G2) at Saratoga. She loves the longer distances and for that reason will start next against the males in the 12-furlong, Grade 1 Sword Dancer on Aug. 27, which is a “win and you’re in” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. If she runs well there I expect to see her against the males in the Breeders' Cup Turf. 3. Bleecker Street. Suffered the first loss of her career last time out in the Diana (G1) after starting her career 7-for-7. She put in her run from the back but had too much to do when finishing third. I won't drop her off because of that one loss, but now she is on the shelf with an injury. Will drop in the coming weeks.

4. Ocean Road. Won her first graded stakes in her last start, a win in the Gamely (G1) over Going Global at Santa Anita. She is now 2-for-2 on the season. Needs to run soon or will drop.

5. Going Global. Had no excuses last time out when third to Ocean Road in the Gamely at Santa Anita. But since that was her first loss in a grass race since last July, she stays here in the top five. Previously she made her 2022 debut with a win in the Royal Heroine (G2) at Santa Anita. Will run next in the Yellow Ribbon (G2) this weekend at Del Mar.

Next 5: In Italian, Shantisara, Technical Analysis, Wakanaka, Going to Vegas.

Male sprinters 1. Jackie's Warrior. This guy is a machine and better than ever. Another dominant win, this time in the Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga. He has two races left in his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career, the Forego (G1) on Aug. 27 at Saratoga and the Breeders' Cup in early November at Keeneland. Should he win both, he will go down as one of the best pure sprinters we have seen in the last 30 years. Appreciate this horse while you can.

2. Speaker's Corner. He was soundly beaten by Life is Good last time out in the Nerud (G2), and that was on this heels of his defeat at the hands of Flightline in the Met Mile (G1) when third. Before those races, he was 3-for-3 on the season, with the Carter (G1) as his lone Grade 1 triumph. Still a player in this division but needs to get back in the win column. Could run in the Forego next out.

3. American Theorem. This guy has emerged as the best sprinter in the west as he won his second straight graded sprint stakes, this time the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar. Will stay out west for his next start or two before shipping east for the Breeders' Cup.

4. Jack Christopher. Lost the Haskell when he tried two turns, but as I wrote previously, he will be back sprinting and could have a say in this division. Likely will go next in the Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) at seven furlongs on Travers day.

5. Golden Pal. Won last week in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga, but only by a nose. Should have one more start prior to his Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint title defense.

Next 5: Reinvestment Risk, Aloha West, Mind Control, Cezanne, Brickyard Ride.

Female sprinters 1. Obligatory. I am still keeping this gal on top after her stronger-than-it-looked runner-up effort to Bella Sofia last out in the Bed o' Roses (G2). That was a four-horse field with little pace. As a horse who likes to come off the pace, she was compromised. But in bigger races later this season there won't be four-horse fields with that pace scenario. Previously, she beat the best in this division except for Ce Ce in the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs with a strong closing kick.

2. Ce Ce. Last season's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner was back on her game last out as she sprinted her way to a dominant win in the Princess Rooney (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Likely done with two-turn races now, she will get two more starts before an expected defense of her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint title.

3. Just One Time. The beaten favorite in the Derby City, she finished third with no excuses. Previously this season she won the Madison (G1) at Keeneland and the Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream.

4. Bella Sofia. Beaten as the favorite in the Honorable Miss (G2) by Kimari, she previously had won the Bed o' Roses going wire to wire. And before that she made her first start of the year in the Vagrancy (G3) a winning one.

5. Kimari. Connections ran in her the Honorable Miss, and she rewarded them with a nice win. I think she is far better on the dirt and the connections finally agree – they have charted a path to get her to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Next 5: Edgeway, Lady Rocket, Sconsin, Bell's the One, Becca Taylor.

With Life is Good expected to make only one more start before the Breeders’ Cup Classic in either the Woodward at Aqueduct or the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs, he likely will head to the Breeders’ Cup with another win on his resume, given that each of those prep races are run at nine furlongs.

But the Breeders’ Cup Classic is 10 furlongs. Although the sample size is small, the one time Life is Good tried 10 panels he looked ordinary. Gone was the brilliance we have grown accustomed to seeing at the shorter distances. Even in last week’s nine-furlong Whitney, after having an uncontested lead throughout, he had to dig down deep to get the job done. This isn’t a knock on Life is Good, I just happen to believe he is brilliant at a mile or less.

If he is entered in the Classic, he clearly would be a big underlay at the betting windows being asked to do something he has already shown he could not do. Except in the Classic he will face a far better field than he has ever faced.

What about Flightline? The jury is still out on this guy, mainly because he has run only once in the last eight months. Still never having gone two turns or anything over a mile, we will at least get a better gauge on him in next month's 10-furlong Pacific Classic.

But with Flightline, I think it is an all-or-nothing proposition. If he fails to show the same brilliance at 10 furlongs as he has at the shorter distances and loses the Pacific Classic, we likely won’t even see him in the gate for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But then again, we could be in store for a Ghostzapper type of career, where Flightline does show the same brilliance at the longer distances with few starts under his belt.

Olympiad stubbed his toe last weekend in the Whitney but will get a shot to redeem himself and try the 10-furlong distance next time out in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Given his pedigree, I don’t believe 10 furlongs will be in his wheelhouse.

For me it’s very clear: There are three horses who will offer great value at the windows.

Happy Saver clearly wants the 10-furlong distance of the Classic. He will go next in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at that distance, but his odds will shrink with a win there. Still, if Flightline and Life Is Good are in the gate for Classic, Happy Saver will be an overlay. He has gotten better with each start and will be in with a chance.

Epicenter is the top 3-year-old male, and we know he loves 10 furlongs. He won the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) and was a close runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. If he wins the 10-furlong Travers next out, he will be the sophomore division's best hope in the Classic. Again, with the presence of the Life is Good and Flightline, Epicenter still would be an overlay despite his credentials.

We know Country Grammer loves going longer. The winner of the Dubai World Cup, he defeated Life is Good, among others. He will test Flightline next out, but even a loss there wouldn’t sway me. It all depends on the flow of the race. Flightline may get an advantageous setup with no others pressing him on the lead, and we know Country Grammer needs pace to run at.

If Flightline and Life is Good both make it to the Classic, it will be rightfully hyped as a matchup with two of the more brilliant horses we have seen in the last 10 years. Still, both want to be forwardly placed, and the presence of both could help the horses I mentioned above.

There are a lot of ifs and assumptions here, but isn’t that the best part of this game?

Chip Gehrke has been with Horse Racing Nation since 2015 and currently serves as a Featured Writer. Based outside of Chicago, Chip can be found in the press box many weekends during the Arlington Park meet. The On The Air With Dr. Derby name originates from his many local sports radio show appearances as an on-air racing expert. 

In 2017, Chip was chosen to be a member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association. As a part of the NTWAB, Chip became a voter for the year-end Eclipse Awards, something he takes very seriously. Some of Chip's favorite writings from the last couple of years is the best way to get to know him.

•   The Loss of Medina Spirit

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• Cigar and the Pacific Classic

• Spending Time With Game on Dude

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