Division rankings: Burnham Square is reinvented on turf

This week I take a look at the transformation and changing narrative surrounding Burnham Square.

One year ago, Burnham Square was coming off a sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby after capturing the Blue Grass Stakes (G1). He would go on to make two more high-profile dirt starts as a 3-year-old, a dirt campaign that culminated with a fifth-place finish in last July’s Haskell (G1).

Clearly, his connections felt a change was needed with this son of Liam's Map, and a move to the turf appeared to be the logical next step. Since last year’s Haskell, Burnham Square has reinvented himself in four grass starts, emerging as a potential star and perhaps an important fixture in the division for years to come, given his status as a gelding.

In his three turf starts this season, Burnham Square has toyed with his opposition in two graded stakes, winning by wide margins we simply do not see very often on the grass. But expectations should be kept in check for now. He has more to prove at the highest level. Still, make no mistake, this storyline has the potential to become one of the sport’s biggest by the time the Breeders’ Cup rolls around.

Before taking a closer look at Burnham Square, along with a few case studies of horses who underwent similar surface transformations, here is how the male turf rankings shape up heading into this weekend.

Turf males

1. Deterministic. His connections scratched him from the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) in favor of an easier spot in the Fort Marcy (G3) at Aqueduct last out and he delivered, scoring a win in his first start of the season. Last season, he had three straight graded-stakes wins, capped by back-to-back Grade 1 scores. Might run in the Manhattan (G1) on Belmont Day.

2. Zulu Kingdom. Won the Maker’s Mark Mile, a race thinned out by a wave of high-profile scratches, beating Notable Speech, who was overhyped by many but not here. A Grade 1 winner on turf at 3, and if he can stay sound, he’s a legitimate player in this division if he runs, but no works since that win.

3. Burnham Square. This is isn't the second coming of Manila, but he has impressed in two graded-stakes starts on grass this season, the Elkhorn (G2) and the Louisville (G3). The future looks promising for this guy.

4. Rhetorical. Sent off as the favorite in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, he delivered a facile victory over what was, admittedly, a below-par field for this race historically. Before that, he ran well in his seasonal debut when third in the Maker’s Mark Mile, beaten just over a length. He finished 2025 with a 4-for-5 record, his lone defeat coming when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, one start after his Turf Mile (G1) victory at Keeneland. Runs in the Manhattan next out.

5. One Stripe. Runner-up in two Grade 1 races this season, the Maker's Mark and Pegasus World Cup Turf.

Next five:  Notable Speech, Far Bridge, Lagynos, Mondego, Yellow Card.

Some of my favorite horses through the years were initially very good dirt horses before switching surfaces and reinventing themselves on the grass. Some went on to become Eclipse Award winners and Breeders’ Cup champions. Now it might be Burnham Square’s turn.

Looking way back, I remember Hawkster. Hawkster emerged from the same outstanding 3-year-old crop as Sunday Silence, Easy Goer and King Glorious. A Grade 1 winner at 2, Hawkster finished fifth in all three Triple Crown races in 1989. Following the Belmont Stakes, his connections shifted him to the turf, and Hawkster responded immediately, winning his next four starts. Much like Burnham Square, it was the manner in which he won that turned heads. He was dominant, highlighted by a world-record performance in the Oak Tree Invitational (G1) at 3, stopping the clock at 2:22 4/5. After a failed attempt in the Japan Cup (G1) and a brief return to dirt, Hawkster never won on the grass again in three subsequent tries. Even so, he remains one of my all-time favorites.

That same year, another member of that exceptional crop, Prized, made his turf debut in the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Prized owned the distinction of being the only horse besides Easy Goer to defeat Sunday Silence that year, doing so in the Swaps Stakes (G2) when Sunday Silence jumped shadows late and was caught near the wire. Prized stunned the racing world by winning that Breeders’ Cup Turf, then followed it with two more graded turf victories. But by later in 1990, he was unable to recapture that Grade 1 form, losing his final two turf starts before retirement.

In the early 1990s, two very capable dirt horses, Tight Spot and Lure, made the transition to turf and evolved into two of the decade’s best grass runners. Tight Spot was originally on the Kentucky Derby trail in 1990, but after only modest success, his connections moved him to the lawn, where he reeled off eight consecutive victories, a streak that culminated in an Eclipse Award in 1991.

Lure may be the gold standard for this type of transformation. He began on the Kentucky Derby trail in 1992 and even captured the Gotham Stakes (G2). But after defeats in the Lexington Stakes (G2) and Riva Ridge Stakes (G3), he was switched to the turf and never looked back. Lure went on to win two Breeders’ Cup Miles and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

So, what do we make of Burnham Square? Could he be headed toward a Lure-like career, or will he prove more of a brilliant but shorter-lived turf experiment in the mold of Prized? Either outcome would be a successful reinvention, but expectations should remain tempered for now.

Although Burnham Square has looked visually dazzling in his two of his three turf starts this season, he has yet to face elite-level turf competition, let alone a serious international grass horse. And we all know how this story usually goes in American turf racing, often even a second-tier European turf runner can stack up favorably against our top domestic stars.

As noted above, Burnham Square’s status as a gelding means he should be around for quite some time barring injury, and that only adds intrigue to this story. His connections have mapped out a campaign that points toward the Breeders’ Cup Turf as the long-range target, with expected stops at Kentucky Downs for for the Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G2) and Colonial Downs for the Arlington Million (G1).

If Burnham Square continues his upward trajectory, things could become very interesting by Breeders’ Cup time.

Personally, I’m rooting for him to keep ascending. Imagine the possibilities if he continues to develop over the next couple of seasons. An overseas campaign would not be out of the question if he proves capable of hanging with the world’s best, and that is the kind of storyline American racing fans would absolutely rally behind.

But first things first. Let’s see what we have as the season unfolds. For now, I remain cautiously optimistic.

Burnham Square currently sits only third in these rankings, but if he turns out to be what many believe he could become, it would not be surprising to see him rise all the way to the top.

Older dirt males

1. Skippylongstocking. I’m keeping this guy at the top despite his narrow runner-up finish in the Alysheba (G2) last out. He clearly has taken a major step forward with maturity this season. His victory in the Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn was dominant, and when you pair that performance with his Pegasus World Cup (G1) win earlier this year over White Abarrio, it’s enough to keep him in this position. Think of it this way, if the season ended today which horse deserves the Eclipse? This guy. 

2. White Abarrio. His Oaklawn Handicap (G2) win was somewhat of a surprise to many, but I have to give credit to this 7-year-old. He enhances his reputation with a win like this and is entrenched in this spot for now. He was second in the Pegasus World Cup in his only other start in 2026. He's pointed to the Stephen Foster (G1)

3. Magnitude. This guy resides here because he is 2-for-2 this season and knocked off the best dirt horse in the world, Forever Young, in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Should be a player in this division moving forward once back stateside. Could run next in the Stephen Foster.

4. Sovereignty. He returned from a 238-day layoff to finish a solid runner-up to White Abarrio in the Oaklawn Handicap. He should be better next out, when hopefully some of the others ranked here will run. Regardless, he now is back on the bench for another 70-plus days as he waits for the Stephen Foster.

5. Journalism. He also ran well in finishing third in the Oaklawn Handicap, though you have to wonder how much his gate antics took out of him. He’s expected to resurface at Saratoga for the Met Mile (G1), an ideal spot for him to get back on track and into the win column.

Next five: Baeza, Nysos, Touchuponastar, Corporate Power, Antiquarian.

Older dirt females

1. Claret Beret. This gal was mainly known as a sprinter, but she has stretched out nicely in her last two starts, posting big wins and getting her first top-level score in the Apple Blossom (G1). She has to sit atop what looks to be a wide-open division for now. 

2. Nitrogen. Another disappointment, settling for second as a heavy favorite, this time in the Apple Blossom. Now 1-for-3 on the season, her connections will keep her on the dirt for her next start, the Ogden Phipps (G1) on Belmont day. The longer this gal goes the better, so the nine-furlong distance of the Phipps should help. 

3. Shred the Gnar. This division is in somewhat of disarray and because of that, this gal moves all the way to this spot based on her La Troienne (G1) win last out. She was sixth in her only other start this season, the Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream behind Claret Beret.

4. Majestic Oops. The ninth-place finisher from last fall's Breeders' Cup Distaff has been stellar this year at age 6, winning two of her three starts. She won the Azeri (G2) and in the process secured her first graded-stakes win in her 35th career start. Last time out she was third in the Apple Blossom.

5. Fully Subscribed. Her first start this season was good, narrowly missing in the La Troienne (G1). Last season at age 3 she won the Mother Goose (G2) and Comey (G3).

Next five: Alpine Princess, Regaled, Simply Joking, Bless the Broken, Perfect Shot.

3-year-old males

1. Golden Tempo. I can’t say I was surprised to see this guy wearing the roses, especially after The Puma scratched. Before the Derby, I wrote, “Dismiss Golden Tempo at your own risk,” and once The Puma came out of the race, he immediately became one of the key horses to build around, knowing his late kick would come into play. When it mattered most, he outfinished Renegade in the stretch and proved himself a deserving Kentucky Derby winner. Will run next in the Belmont Stakes.

2. Renegade. He came with his run once again and for a brief moment looked like he might win the Kentucky Derby. His runner-up finish looked even better after noticing the trouble he encountered leaving the gate. The Belmont Stakes appears to be the logical next target.

3. The Puma. A late scratch in the Kentucky Derby, he should be back sooner rather than later. He won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and then just missed in the Florida Derby (G1) by a nose to Commandment. If he is ready, the Belmont is next. If not, then the Haskell (G1) is the next major target.

4. Commandment. Disappointed in the Kentucky Derby, where the 10-furlong distance probably came into play as a weakness. Still, he has done enough to be in the top five.

5. Crude Velocity. He was an impressive winner of the Pat Day Mile (G2), but let's not get carried away. He regressed from his previous start and has questions to answer. Unbeaten in three starts, he is expected to run next in the Woody Stephens (G1) on Belmont Stakes day.

Next five: Chief Wallabee, Napolean Solo, Further Ado, Silent Tactic, Ocelli.

3-year-old fillies

1. Always a Runner. The Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner was super impressive in just her third career start. She keeps her unbeaten record intact and appears headed for the Acorn (G1) at Saratoga. But don't be surprised if a Belmont Stakes appearance is in the cards.

2. Meaning. Ran very well in the Kentucky Oaks, finishing a clear runner-up. She showed up and ran the best race of her career, validating her California form. Could run next in the Acorn.

3. Counting Stars. The Fantasy (G2) winner continues to move forward with each start and turned in a solid effort when third in the Kentucky Oaks, narrowly edging Explora by a neck for the show spot.

4. Explora. I thought she ran about as well as could reasonably be expected in the Kentucky Oaks, missing the show spot by the slimmest of margins. It was also the first time in eight career starts that she failed to finish in the top three.

5. Bella Ballerina. The Golden Rod (G2) winner at 2 prevailed in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) in her 3-year-old debut, running her record to 3-for-3. Then she was runner-up in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), but I still feel she could be one of the best in this division. Scratched from the Kentucky Oaks.

Next five: Zany, Percy's Bar, Life of Joy, On Time Girl, My Miss Mo.

Turf females

1. Lush Lips. Scratched from the Jenny Wiley (G1) because of her blood being "off," according to her connections, she opened 2026 with a win in the Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream Park and has three straight victories dating to last season. She is on the shelf for a while so will drop from this spot soon.

2. Destino d'Oro. She's 2-for-2 this season after her win in the Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs, which came on the heels of her Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) score at Gulfstream. She too was a late scratch from the Jenny Wiley.

3. Expensive Queen. Three wins in a row now for this daughter of Lope de Vega to start off 2026. Her dead-heat win in the Jenny Wiley was by far her biggest victory to date as it was her first in a graded stakes.

4. Segesta. Won the Matriarch (G1) last fall for her first top-level score, and before that she was runner-up in the First Lady (G1) at Keeneland. Made her seasonal debut at Keeneland in the Jenny Wiley and ran well to finish in a dead heat, according to Keeneland. That finish is controversial because in the photo she was runner-up, and Keeneland has yet to address this situation.

5. Kathynmarissa. Won the Modesty (G3) in her first start of 2026, defeating the highly regarded Gezora. The Modesty was her first graded-stakes win.

Next five: Gezora, Imaginationlady, Medoro, Thought Process, Rashmi.

Male sprinters

1. Book’em Danno. Was beaten in his seasonal debut in the Carter (G2) at Aqueduct but holds on to the top spot for now. 

2. T O Elvis. Dominated the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), thankfully ending the hyperbole surrounding Knightsbridge, who was off the board. This guy is the real deal, and although he probably won't be back in the U.S. until the fall, he will stay in this spot for now.

3. Bentornato. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner tasted defeat in his first start of 2026 last out in Dubai. Last season he ran only twice. He'll train at Churchill with a goal of starting in the True North (G3) at Saratoga on June 6.

4. Imagination. Ran OK in the Churchill Downs Stakes, missing the show spot by a nose. Previously he ran well as the favorite in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) to score a win for the U.S. He finished last season with a strong runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. The Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) winner made only three starts in 2025, but each was competitive. 

5. Cornucopian. A disappointing effort in the Churchill Downs Stakes, and at this point it’s fair to wonder if he’s simply not the same horse outside of California. There’s also a possibility he has been a bit overrated.

Next five: Disrupter, Crazy Mason, Mad House, Saudi Crown, Bishops Bay.

Female sprinters

1. Eclatant. An impressive winner of the Madison (G1), earning her second graded-stakes victory and first at the top level. She now stands at 5-for-8 in her career.

2. R Disaster. Flattered the top one with a win in the Derby City Distaff (G1), beating several ranked below. Previously she was third to Eclatant in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland.

3. Ways and Means. In her first start in 11 months, she ran well, finishing runner-up to R Disaster in the Derby City Distaff. If she can stay healthy, she will be a player in this division.

4. Usha. Got a test last out in the Derby City Distaff and ran OK finishing third, but she was six clear of Splendora. 

5. Splendora. Like stablemate Cornucopian, she wasn't the same outside of California, finishing fourth as the favorite in the Derby City Distaff. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner had impressed in two starts this season, including the Beholder Mile (G1). 

Next five: Grand Job, Grammy Girl, Mystic Lake, Immersive, Margarita Girl.