The Kentucky Derby (G1) is less than three weeks away and the group of 3-year-olds preparing for this year's classics appears to be especially promising, but we pause our Triple Crown coverage a bit to note that this year's impressive batch of older dirt horses in training offers racing a terrific chance to market its stars.
One of the biggest draws to racing is connecting with a horse, but too often, the pull toward the breeding side makes it a challenge to keep standout runners in training. This year is a welcome exception. As the classics will draw some casual followers to racing in the weeks ahead, it's an opportunity for the sport to promote some of those top older horses still in training.
Upcoming big race days in place on the calendar as well as the Breeders' Cup Challenge series will provide platforms to promote these standout horses and remind those casual fans that some of the horses they enjoyed watching last year are back in competition for top races this year. As those casual fans tune in for the Derby or the Belmont Stakes (G1), they'll be able to see some of the top horses they're already familiar with.
Let's consider the near embarrassment of riches.
Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna has opened the season with a pair of graded stakes wins at Oaklawn Park, including the April 12 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 12. Trainer Kenny McPeek is pointing the 2024 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner to a start on this year's Oaks card—the $1 million La Troienne Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares.
As thrilling as that return is, racing has been fortunate to see some older fillies and mares excel on dirt in recent years. The older male dirt division has not been as strong, but this year promises to put an end to that trend.
The past two winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) are both in training. White Abarrio, winner of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, has opened his 6-year-old season with a pair of graded stakes wins, including a victory in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). Sierra Leone captured last year's Classic as a 3-year-old and is looking to improve off a third-place finish in the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) to open the season.
Consider that the top three finishers from last year's Classic, all 3-year-olds of 2024, remain in training this year. Sierra Leone, who would be named champion 3-year-old male, was followed home by Fierceness, champion 2-year-old male of 2023, and Japan-based world traveler Forever Young.
Through April 6, Forever Young was the highest-rated horse in the world off his Saudi Cup (G1) win as his connections plot a return to this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Fierceness has been working regularly since mid-March toward his 4-year-old season debut.
Importantly, in terms of fan recognition, horses who ran well in last year's classics are back. McPeek is trying to return Derby winner/Preakness Stakes (G1) runner-up Mystik Dan to top form with a planned start in the Lake Ouachita Stakes on this year's Derby day—May 3—at Oaklawn. Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone, and Forever Young were part of the three-horse photo finish in last year's Kentucky Derby, and Sierra Leone followed with a third in the Belmont.
While 2024 Preakness winner Seize the Grey and Belmont winner Dornoch have both been retired to stud, Preakness third-place finisher Catching Freedom opened the year in a graded stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and Belmont runner-up Mindframe is preparing at Palm Beach Downs for his seasonal debut.
For good measure, some top early international races saw United States-based runners flash. U.S.-trained horses finished one-two in the Dubai World Cup (G1) as 5-year-old Hit Show scored an upset win and was followed home by last year's Pacific Classic (G1) winner Mixto. Doug O'Neill is the trainer of 5-year-old Mixto, and earlier on that Meydan card, he sent out 2024 Malibu Stakes (G1) winner Raging Torrent to victory in the Godolphin Mile (G2).
In the U.S., Locked has put it all together. After closing out his 3-year-old season with a victory against a deep field in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) in December, he finished second in this year's Pegasus before winning the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).
For good measure, champion male sprinter Straight No Chaser is also back. He opened the season with a victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2).
It's quite a group, and familiar runners, older dirt males such as Rattle N Roll, Touchuponastar, and Skippylongstocking, only add to the fun.
