Division rankings: Alabama may shake up fillies division

This week, we hit pause on the 3-year-old colts and older dirt males to spotlight the summer's marquee event for 3-year-old fillies, the Grade 1 Alabama. 

The 3-year-old fillies have taken a backseat to the boys this year, but the Alabama gets a jolt of intrigue with Nitrogen, a turf standout, stepping onto the dirt and into the big leagues. With the division still up for grabs, her connections know a win here could launch her to the top and put the Breeders’ Cup Distaff firmly on the radar. 

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Before diving into my thoughts on the Alabama and the current state of the division, here’s how I’ve got the 3-year-old fillies ranked heading into the weekend.

3-year-old fillies

1. Good Cheer. She doesn't lose her spot here after one loss, as she had built up a sizable lead. Like Raging Sea in the Phipps, her loss in the Acorn (G1) wasn't very surprising given her numbers in previous starts. Will try to right the ship in the Alabama this weekend.

2. La Cara. Dominant winner of the Acorn last time out, she has two Grade 1 wins on the season after previously scoring in the Ashland at Keeneland. Will ascend to the top with a win this weekend in the Alabama.

3. Scottish Lassie. Don't look now, but this gal is very close to the top now after a dominating score in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). Before that she was third in the Acorn. Should run next in the Cotillion (G1) in September. 

4. Nitrogen. This turf standout finally tasted defeat in the Belmont Oaks, finishing a close second and ending her five-race win streak. Her connections are pivoting back to dirt for the Alabama this weekend, a surface she tried earlier this season, romping by 17 lengths in the slop against a field of two.

5. Quietside. Didn’t look like she cared for the slop in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), fading to sixth. Before that, she delivered a gutsy win in the Fantasy (G2), outdueling Simply Joking in a thrilling stretch battle. Will continue to drop if she doesn't run soon.

Next five: Tenma, Drexel Hill, Five G, Simply Joking, Muhimma.

Just over two months ago, Good Cheer sat undefeated in seven starts and firmly atop the 3-year-old filly division after her Kentucky Oaks triumph. But even then, it felt like this division was still wide open. Her résumé was spotless, but the speed figures were underwhelming, and the sense was that she was vulnerable. And much like last year with Thorpedo Anna, no rival had stepped up with a race strong enough to challenge her.

That changed in the Acorn.

On another sloppy track, conditions that suited her in the Oaks, Good Cheer was expected to shine again. Instead, she flopped to fifth, while La Cara, who finished 13 lengths behind her in the Oaks, flipped the script and took the win. 

Now they meet again in the Alabama, but who comes out on top? Your guess is as good as mine. 

One thing I do know is that if Good Cheer rebounds and scores here, a Kentucky Oaks/Alabama double would all but lock up the Eclipse. But if La Cara turns the tables again, she grabs the division lead with three Grade 1 wins, matching Thorpedo Anna’s tally at this point last year. 

And then there’s the wild card, turf star Nitrogen, the X-factor that turns this Alabama into must-see race. Sure, Nitrogen technically has one dirt race under her belt, but it came over a sloppy track, which turf horses often handle well. A fast dirt surface is a whole different ballgame. Still, on paper, Nitrogen stacks up surprisingly well. Her speed figures are stronger than any of her Alabama rivals and let’s be honest, her competition hasn’t exactly set the track ablaze. A few in here have picked up wins, sure, but none with the kind of flash or speed that turns heads.

It’s a tall order for Nitrogen, but given the landscape, it’s not out of reach.

Older dirt males

1. Mindframe. He kept his unbeaten 2025 campaign rolling with a popular win in the Stephen Foster (G1), planting his flag atop the older dirt male division for now. But he gives off strong Liam’s Map vibes, very good up to nine furlongs but unlikely to stretch his game to classic territory. Like Liam, don’t be surprised if his Breeders’ Cup road leads to the Dirt Mile, especially if he comes up short in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) this month. His connections whiffed on a prime chance to widen his divisional lead when he was scratched from the Whitney, leaving the stage to stablemate Fierceness, who promptly finished off the board.

2. Sierra Leone. He fired yet another bullet in a major, this time in the Whitney at Saratoga, toppling a strong field and launching himself right back into the Eclipse and horse-of-the-year conversation. He is the only horse in training with a real shot at going back to back in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and yet somehow, the critics still chirp. Next stop, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where a win over Mindframe would leave no doubt about who sits atop this division.

3. Raging Torrent. He’s 2-for-2 this year with a Dubai win in the Godolphin Mile (G2) and a Met Mile (G1) score where he knocked off the division’s previous top two. He's ranked third for now, but with his recent retirement he will drop. Stays here now because he is top three, and top three here go on my ballot.

4. Nysos. With two wins from three starts this year, Nysos reminded everyone why the Baffert camp has been so high on him, cruising home last out in the San Diego (G2) at Del Mar. Next up, the 10-furlong Pacific Classic (G1) and a test to see if his brilliance can stretch the extra distance. If he passes that, he could crash the Breeders’ Cup Classic party come November.

5. Fierceness. No real excuses for his off-the-board finish in the Whitney, and you have to wonder if he’s the same horse since his surgery last December. He’s targeting a September return, likely in either the Woodward (G2) at Aqueduct or the Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill. With Fierceness, nothing would shock me. His calling card has been inconsistency, so don’t be surprised if he bounces back and wins next time out.

Next five: Highland Falls, White Abarrio, Locked, Hit Show, Most Wanted.

Older dirt females

1. Thorpedo Anna. Rebounded from her off-the-board finish in the La Troienne (G1) to score a facile win in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs. Although her numbers are historically slow for a top-ranked member of this division, she continues to be the clear leader in the division, mostly because no one else has pieced together a résumé strong enough to challenge her. She is scheduled to run next in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga.

2. Seismic Beauty. Scored a nice win last out in the Clement Hirsch (G1) going wire-to-wire. Clearly the fastest horse in the division on paper in 2025, she will be a tough one to beat if she can stay healthy this fall. 

3. Kopion. I thought she ran a sneaky-good race when closing from last to finish second behind Seismic Beauty in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1). The added distance didn't bother her, and there’s no reason to think she can’t handle the nine furlongs of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her connections now have a choice. Stretch out and take a swing at the Distaff, or cut back to sprints, where she’s already proven to be among the best.

4. Leslie's Rose. Scored her first graded-stakes win this season in the Shuvee (G2) at Saratoga. Was third earlier this season in the Vagrancy (G3). Will run next in the Personal Ensign.

5. Randomized. Ended a three-race losing streak with a nice win in the Molly Pitcher (G3) over a good field. Was third earlier this season in the La Troienne (G1). She too is expected in the Personal Ensign.

Next five: Cavalieri, Richi, Dazzling Move, Dorth Vader, Raging Sea.

3-year-old males

1. Sovereignty. Handled his business in the Jim Dandy (G2) and now heads to a Travers that could feature its smallest field since 1994, when there were five starters. Remember when skipping the Preakness was supposed to elevate the Travers or when some insisted the “real” Triple Crown was the Derby, Belmont and Travers? That aged well. I’ll stick with what I have written before, this Eclipse still runs through the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the top two ranked here.

2. Journalism. Showed up again in a big Grade 1 event and delivered, this time in the Haskell. His three top-level scores this season are the most of any in this division. Likely to go next in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar with the Travers still being considered.

3. Baeza. Ran his heart out in the Jim Dandy only to be second best, dropping a one-length decision to Sovereignty. Still in search of his first stakes win, but he is clearly in the top three of his division despite that fact. Will skip the Travers.

4. Magnitude. I’m bumping this guy all the way into the top five, even if his Iowa Derby comeback was basically a glorified allowance win. Before that, he romped in the Risen Star (G2) over a sloppy Fair Grounds track with an eye-popping figure. If you trust the numbers, he’s right there with the division’s top two. And as a confirmed front runner, he adds a new wrinkle to an already compelling group. Likely for the Travers.

5. Gosger. Would be a dual Grade 1 winner if not for the heroics of Journalism. His last two starts, the Preakness and Haskell, have been solid runner-up finishes. Won the Lexington (G3) this season. Will run next in the Pennsylvania Derby next

Next 5: Goal Oriented, Sandman, Burnham Square, Chunk of Gold, Coal Battle.

Turf males

1. Deterministic. He’s rattled off three straight graded-stakes wins, including back to back Grade 1s. His latest was a dominant performance in the Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga following a big score in the shortened nine-furlong Manhattan the day after the Belmont. He’s 3-for-4 on the year and very much trending in the right direction.

2. Far Bridge. Ran his worst race of the season last out in the Sword Dancer finishing off the board. Still, I won't drop him too far given his resume this season, which features three graded stakes victories.

2. Formidable Man. Winner of the Kilroe Mile (G1) this season, he scored again last out in the Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar. His other two starts this year resulted in off the board finishes.

3. Fort Washington. Scored his first Grade 1 last out in the Arlington Million, a breakthrough moment after 27 prior starts and three Grade 3 wins. At six, this veteran is finally having his breakout season, with two other graded stakes wins already on the résumé.

4. Spirit of St Louis. He’s picked up two Grade 1 wins this year, including a score in the Turf Classic (G1) on Derby day, but you wouldn’t know it from his recent form. He finished a dull eighth in the Fourstardave (G1), more than four lengths behind Deterministic, and was also nowhere to be found in the Manhattan (G1) before that. It’s easy to forget he looked like a turf star just a few months ago.

5. El Cordobes. Won the Sword Dancer last out in his first start in this country. Previous to that he had just one other group or graded stakes score from nine previous starts.

Next five: Integration, King of Gosford, Dashman, Redistricting, Zulu Kingdom.

Turf females

1. She Feels Pretty. She doesn’t drop from this spot off of her narrow last-out loss to Excellent Truth in the Diana (G1). She was arguably the best in the race trip-wise as she ran about a length farther than her rival. Previously she scored in the New York (G1) at Saratoga. 

2. Excellent Truth. She finally broke through for her first Grade 1 win last time out in the Diana after finishing runner-up in her three prior attempts. The win, though impressive, isn't enough for me to push her above She Feels Pretty, who would prevail if the Eclipse vote were held today.

3. Dynamic Pricing. Was third in the Diana over four lengths behind the top two ranked in this division. Before that she scored a win in the Just a Game for her first top-level score. 

4. Be Your Best. Last out in the Beverly D (G2) she had to settle for third. Previous to that she shipped west and romped in the Gamely (G1). She kicked off the year with a win in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2).

5. Charlene's Dream. Scored her biggest career win last out in the Beverly D (G2). The Beverly D was her second graded stakes win this season.

Next five: Beach Bomb, Heredia, Kehoe Beach, Ag Bullet, Saffron Moon.

Male sprinters

1. Book'em Danno. Keeps getting better with every start. Reaches the top here off back-to-back wins, highlighted by a dominant Vanderbilt (G2) score over Mullikin and Nakatomi, which followed his True North (G2) victory over that same duo. Runs next in the Forego (G1) on August 23.

2. Raging Torrent. He scored his biggest career win in the Met Mile ( G1), defeating a small but solid field. His only loss in his last seven starts was last fall's Breeders' Cup Sprint. Since retired, he stays ranked here for now.

3. Straight No Chaser. The reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion disappointed in Dubai, finishing eighth in the Golden Shaheen (G1). Before that he kicked off 2025 with a win in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia. Targeting the Pat O’Brien (G2) at Del Mar on Aug. 23 for his next start.

4. Mindframe. I'm keeping him here because he scored a Grade 1 win sprinting in the Churchill Downs. Although I doubt we will see him sprinting again this season, there is a chance he will be back at a mile come Breeders’ Cup time.

5. Nysos. Stretched last out in the San Diego (G2) to score another win. Probably won’t be sprinting again this season as he will stretch even more next out in the Pacific Classic (G1). Previously he scored in the Triple Bend (G3) and before that was a close third sprinting in the Churchill Downs Stakes. Stays in this spot for now.

Next five: Mullikin, Booth, Lovesick Blues, Bishops Bay, Nakatomi.

Female sprinters

1. Kopion. Even after her loss to Sweet Azteca in the Great Lady M (G2), she holds onto the top spot for now. Prior to that, she blew past her 8-1 morning line in the Derby City Distaff (G1), powering home with authority. With Kopion, Sweet Azteca and Ways and Means all likely Del Mar-bound, this top-heavy division is setting the stage for one of the Breeders’ Cup’s most anticipated showdowns. Last out she ran a solid second in the Clement L. Hirsch at 8 1/2 furlongs, but a return to sprinting could still be in the cards.

2. Sweet Azteca. Scored a remarkable comeback win in the Great Lady M, where she defeated Kopion. This came nine months to the day after her last race, a stunning off-the-board finish at 1-9 odds in the four-horse Chillingworth (G3) at Santa Anita. Before that loss she had won three graded stakes in a row. Obviously a major player in this division when she is right.

3. Ways and Means. Absolutely dominated the Bed o’ Roses (G2), drawing off by more than seven lengths and staking her claim as likely the top female sprinter on the East Coast. Before that, she was a solid third in the Derby City Distaff (G1) behind the top-ranked Kopion.

4. Two Sharp. Has made only one appearance this season but made it count, cruising to an easy win in the Winning Colors (G3) at Churchill Downs, taking down Hope Road and the rest with little trouble.

5. Nic's Style. This Florida-bred is 7-for-8 in her career, her only loss a runner-up to Ways and Means last year in the Gallant Bloom (G2). She won the Hurricane Bertie (G3) last out for her fourth win in a row. A serious player in this division.

Next five: Richi, Hope Road, Scylla, Vahva, Positano Sunset.