Thorpedo Anna's victorious return grabbed most of the headlines this week, but the older dirt female division had more than one notable performance last weekend. A rising star in the west made a big move to no. 2 in my rankings, positioning herself as a serious challenger when the inevitable showdown with Thorpedo Anna comes.
These two dominate the division, and here’s how the rest of the top 10 shakes out.
Older dirt females
1. Thorpedo Anna. Handled her 2025 debut like a pro, cruising to a decisive victory in the Grade 2 Azeri by over three lengths. She had to be asked along in the stretch to keep Free Like a Girl at arm’s length, but the outcome was never in doubt. Next stop for Thorpedo Anna is the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn.
2. Cavalieri. This filly means business. At 4-for-4 and only getting faster, she’s proving to be a real force in the division. No word yet on her next move, but a showdown with Thorpedo Anna in the Apple Blossom would be one to circle on the calendar.
3. Richi. This Chilean import has been nothing short of impressive in her four U.S. starts since June. She finished second to Cavalieri last time out, but she set the pace and ran a game race. Wherever she heads next, she'll be a tough one to catch.
4. Raging Sea. Runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, she delivered as expected. Her 2024 highlight was upsetting Idiomatic in the Personal Ensign (G1). She starts this season far back of the leader and is now back on the work tab.
5. Candied. She was third in the Breeders' Cup Distaff and the Spinster (G1) after Grade 1 runner-up finishes to Thorpedo Anna in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1). She's consistently close, but her only win from six starts last season came in the Lady's Secret at Monmouth.
Next five: Power Squeeze, Gun Song, Sugar Fish, Randomized, Free Like a Girl
At the start of the season, few had even heard of Cavalieri. This 4-year-old Nyquist filly had only two starts, one in a maiden race and another in an optional-claiming event. Fast forward three months, and with two graded-stakes wins, the La Cañada (G2) and Beholder Mile (G1), Cavalieri has firmly inserted herself into this divisional race.
It’s not just the victories that have caught my attention, but the manner in which she’s won, the horses she’s beaten and the speed figures she’s posted. Between the top two in this division, Cavalieri’s 101 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form last weekend outshines anything Thorpedo Anna has ever run against females.
Yes, I’m high on Cavalieri, but honestly, this division needs her. Thorpedo Anna dominated a historically weak group of 3-year-old fillies and a Breeders' Cup Distaff that didn’t exactly showcase the toughest competition. That’s not Anna’s fault, but the reality is clear. Cavalieri is exactly what this division and Thorpedo Anna need to add excitement and spice things up.
Thorpedo Anna’s next stop is set, the April 12 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn. As for Cavalieri, her next move is still up in the air. If she makes the trip from California, the Apple Blossom instantly becomes a can’t-miss showdown.
Older dirt males
1. White Abarrio. After a year away from the throne, he's back on top with a vengeance after his dominant victory in the Pegasus World Cup (G1). Will skip Saudi Arabia and stay in the U.S. to race for the remainder of the season, with the Ghostzapper (G3) on March 29 at Gulfstream his next start.
2. Locked. Delivered a powerhouse performance in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), earning his first Grade 1 victory since his juvenile season. Before that, he kicked off the year with a distant runner-up finish to White Abarrio in the Pegasus, but his Big 'Cap romp showed that maybe he can be a major player in this division.
3. Sierra Leone. He drops to this spot because running matters, and White Abarrio has shown up and delivered. Sierra Leone brought his A game in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, putting Fierceness and Forever Young away with authority. He earned that Eclipse, but now he will miss what was an expected run in the Saudi Cup (G1). That might be a blessing in disguise. Returns next week in the New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds.
4. Fierceness. He ran a strong second in the Breeders' Cup Classic, backing up two earlier Grade 1 wins that sparked Eclipse debate with Sierra Leone. Likely sidelined until spring, with no guarantee he returns to the track. In fact, I would be surprised if he did.
5. Hit Show. No excuses for his third-place finish in the Big 'Cap, where he was beaten by more than 12 lengths. He's simply a notch below the top tier of this division right now.
Next five: Express Train, Mindframe, Hall of Fame, Skippylongstocking, Alexander Helios
3-year-old males
1. Citizen Bull. Citizen Bull picked up right where he left off, steamrolling the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in his first start at three. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and 2-year-old champ holds firm at the top, despite the typical recency bias that often follows the previous week's results. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, but until Citizen Bull loses or takes an unexpected break, this spot is his. His next start likely will come in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) or the Arkansas Derby (G1), where he would have to continue to prove why he deserves to hold onto this top spot.
2. Journalism. His seasonal debut in the San Felipe (G2) was so impressive that I briefly considered vaulting him to the top spot. Now 3-for-4 in his career, he’s on a rapid ascent and likely will make his next start in the Santa Anita Derby in April.
3. Barnes. Turned in a strong effort in the San Felipe but ran into a better horse in Journalism. Still, he was more than nine lengths clear of third-place finisher Rodriguez, proving his class. Next stop likely will be the Arkansas Derby (G1).
4. Sovereignty. The Fountain of Youth (G2) was his second graded-stakes win in a row. Feel like we are still scratching the surface with this guy.
5. Coal Battle. This guys just keeps winning, this time in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn. He is unbeaten in five dirt-track starts, but obviously the 10 panels of the Kentucky Derby will be a question given his pedigree. Will start next in the Arkansas Derby.
Next 7: Burnham Square, Chancer McPatrick, Disco Time, Owen Almighty, River Thames, Sandman, Flood Zone
3-year-old fillies
1. Good Cheer. Faced only three others in her season debut in the recent Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds but won as expected by more than six lengths. Will make her next start in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) or Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (G1)
2. Immersive. Aside from Thorpedo Anna’s Distaff, no one on the dirt impressed more than this gal at the Breeders’ Cup. Like Thorpedo, she was a lock for the Eclipse. With a 4-for-4 record and three Grade 1s under her belt, she’s off to great start to her career. On the shelf for a while and will drop from this spot soon.
3. Quietside. This gal placed in two Grade 1 races last year at age 2 and was sort of forgotten at the windows in the Honeybee (G3), scoring the win at 10-1 odds. Has yet to finish off the board in six starts.
4. Tenma. She beat only two others last out in a six-length win in the Las Virgenes (G3), and before that she scored a win in the Starlet (G2) in her final start at age 2.
5. Non Compliant. Unbeaten in two starts, she made easy work of her first graded-stakes test in the Oak Leaf (G2) at Santa Anita, cruising past five rivals for the win. As a daughter of Tiz the Law, she already has pedigree on her side. Missed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Next five: Muhimma, Scottish Lassie, Quickick, Eclatant, Nitrogen
Turf males
1. Spirit of St Louis. Solid win in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), where he won his first graded stakes. Now a winner of 10 of his 14 starts, this guy should be a major player in this division for the remainder of 2025.
2. Johannes. Kept his hot streak going with a win in the San Gabriel (G2) last December, capping off a stellar 2024 campaign with five graded-stakes victories from six starts. His only loss came as a runner-up to More Than Looks in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Unfortunately, he's sidelined with an injury and will drop from the rankings in the coming weeks.
3. Carl Spackler. He finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Mile, just over two lengths back, but had a solid season last year with two Grade 1 wins.
4. Far Bridge. He finished ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, beaten by five lengths, but had a strong two-race win streak prior, scoring in the Joe Hirsch (G1) and Sword Dancer (G1). Back in 2025.
5. Integration. Very good runner-up finish to the top one in the Pegasus Turf, where he came up a neck short.
Next five: Nation's Pride, Formidable Man, Dashman, Motorious, Mi Hermano Ramon
Turf females
1. She Feels Pretty. Starts the season on top here after capping off her 3-year-old season with back-to-back Grade 1 wins in the Queen Elizabeth at Keeneland and the American Oaks at Santa Anita. If she doesn't run this month she drops out of these rankings.
2. Be Your Best. Captured the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) for her third straight graded-stakes victory, proving she’s in the best form of her 18-race career. With three of her five career wins coming in her last three starts, she’s on a roll now.
3. Sacred Wish. Turned in a strong runner-up effort in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, falling a neck short to Be Your Best. Last season’s Matriarch (G1) winner has been a consistent player, hitting the board in three other graded stakes in 2024.
4. Raqiya. Fifth in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, she won the Goldikova (G3) prior to that in her first start in this country.
5. AG Bullet. Third last out in the Matriarch, and before that she was third in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
Next five: Kathynmarissa, Special Wan, Liguria, Beach Bomb, Nanda Dea
Male sprinters
1. Straight No Chaser. The reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion kicked off 2025 in style, taking the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia. Next stop: Dubai for the Golden Shaheen (G1) in April.
2. Mullikin. Finished second in the Cigar Mile (G2) behind Locked after a third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He earned his first Grade 1 win in the Forego and first graded win in the Nerud (G2). The 4-year-old colt is 5-for-10 in his career and will be back in 2025.
3. The Chosen Vron. Despite a close second in the Pat O’Brien (G2), his first loss in six starts last season, his record remains impressive, 19 wins from 25 starts, 18 in stakes. Missed the Breeders' Cup but went 5-for-6 last year, including the Bing Crosby (G1). Will be back in 2025.
4. Raging Torrent. Scored a strong victory in the Malibu last time out, marking his first Grade 1 win. Finished 4-for-7 last season, and his connections are eyeing the Godolphin Mile (G2) in early April
5. Bentornato. Scratched from the Malibu last December, he previously finished runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and won the Gallant Bob (G2) last September. On the sidelines now with an injury.
Next five: Nakatomi, Mufasa, Federal Judge, Book'em Danno, Tejano Twist
Female sprinters
1. Kopion. Back-to-back dominant wins in the La Brea (G1) and Santa Monica (G2), both with speed figures no one in this division was able to muster last year. She’s the one to beat in this division. Although she missed the Beholder Mile (G1), it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Her connections are now keeping her focused on sprints, with the Madison (G1) at Keeneland in April as her next target.
2. Mystic Lake. Won the Inside Information (G2) in her seasonal debut and last year won five sprint stakes.
3. Hope Road. Second best to the top one in the Santa Monica last out, won two stakes last season.
4. Richi. Ran well when stretching out last time against Cavalieri, and prior to that ran well against Kopion.
5. Spirit Wind. Was very good last season, winning three stakes, the highlight being the Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga.
Next five: Scylla, Pleasant, Emery, Jody's Pride, Nic's Style
