Seven Showdowns We’d Love to See in 2015

A rematch of the Breeders' Cup Classic is just one contest we'd like to see in 2015. (All photos by Eclipse Sportswire)
We’re a little more than three weeks into 2015 and I still can’t believe the embarrassment of riches in terms of star power that racing has for this year. In years past, we’ve lamented the early retirement of our stars, but this year we should thank the connections of these great horses for brining them back for another year and reward fans with these epic battles:
The Classic Rematch
Bayern v. California Chrome v. Shared Belief

Yep, we’d all love to see a rematch between 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern, 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome and champion Shared Belief. Fair to say the 2014 Classic left racing fans a bit unsatisfied, so let’s settle this once and for all on the racetrack, say, in the San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 7 on The Jockey Club Tour on FoxSports1. OK, not trying to be a complete company shill, I would take this rematch in any race. Let’s settle this thing once and for all!
The Grass is Greener Showdown
Main Sequence v. Wise Dan

This is completely dependent upon Wise Dan returning to the racetrack healthy, but wouldn’t it be amazing to see the 2012 and 2013 champion older male and turf male, Wise Dan, and 2014 champion turf male and older male, Main Sequence, face off in the 1 1/8-mile Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Imagine the electricity of a 130,000-plus Derby day crowd when Wise Dan takes command at the eighth pole with Main Sequence closing from the outside with ground-devouring strides for a thrilling finish. Two superstars, eight combined Eclipse Awards — count me in!
Clash of the Distaff Champions
Beholder v. Untapable

Untapable was dazzling in 2014, winning 6 of 7 starts, including all six against females and sweeping every Eclipse Award vote for the 3-year-old filly division after capping her season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Two-time champion Beholder, the 2013 Distaff winner, missed the 2014 edition with a fever but is on target to return in 2015. We need to get these two together on the racetrack. Would it be greedy after the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic suggestion to throw out the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the Kentucky Oaks undercard as an ideal spot for this clash of these Distaff-winning champions?
The Derby Trail Delight
American Pharoah v. Calculator v. Texas Red

So often through the years, we’ve see connections of top 3-year-olds avoid other elite runners in Kentucky Derby preps. But the new points system seems to have provided the incentive for more intriguing showdowns leading up to the first jewel of the Triple Crown. American Pharoah was named champion 2-year-old male after winning a pair of Grade 1 races, including defeating both Calculator (by 3 ¼ lengths) and Texas Red (by 4 ¾ lengths) in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes. But American Pharoah has not raced since that Sept. 27 victory — he missed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile due to a minor injury — and Texas Red and Calculator both have turned in career-best performances in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Sham Stakes, respectively. A FrontRunner rematch in the Santa Anita Derby would be must-see TV.
The Belmont Battle
Palace Malice v. Tonalist

The last time a pair of Belmont Stakes winners met on the track was, well, 2011 when 2010 Belmont winner Drosselmeyer won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice finished third. Even if it’s not unique, this would be a helluva race. Now that Palace Malice is back in training, this match-up needs to happen. How about a date in the Met Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard with the Brooklyn Invitational at 1 1/2 miles another solid option.
Horse of the Year Heavyweights
California Chrome v. Wise Dan

California Chrome’s victory on the grass in the Hollywood Derby opened the door for this extremely enticing potential match-up. This one, too, is dependent upon Wise Dan returning healthy for the 2015 season, but can you imagine the buzz that would build for a showdown between Chrome and Wise Dan. If Chrome were to join Main Sequence and Wise Dan in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic it would destroy Twitter and break Facebook and probably blow the roof off of Churchill Downs.  Have to assume the connections of California Chrome will stick with the main track for the first half of the year, through, so let’s target the one-mile Fourstardave Stakes this summer at Saratoga Race Course. If Main Sequence wants to join the party, the more the merrier!
The Bonus Battle
Dale Romans v. Ed “Indian Charlie” Mussleman
So what if it happened before, most of us didn’t get to see it on the Churchill Downs backstretch. This is a battle that begs for a steel cage match, but heck I’d settle for arm wrestling or a pie-eating contest. What we really want is the wrasslin’ style press conference setting the stage. If we get that, who cares if we settle it with a thumb war? By the way, I’ve never lost a thumb war.
What potential matchups have you most excited for 2015?