Division rankings: Oaklawn 'Cap field seeks breakthrough win

This weekend, I'm hitting pause on the 3-year-old male division and turn ing my focus to the Oaklawn Handicap, a race that, much like the Santa Anita Handicap, has taken a backseat in the era of globe-trotting million-dollar pots like the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup and Saudi Cup.

Once a staple of the older dirt male division and a proud Grade 1, the Oaklawn 'Cap was demoted to Grade 2 in 2003 and has been fighting for relevance ever since. Still, its past is memorable. Snow Chief, Lost Code, and the great Cigar all notched this race on their résumés. It might not carry the clout it once did, but the Oaklawn Handicap remains one of my favorite stops on the racing calendar.

This year’s Oaklawn Handicap lacks a headlining Grade 1 winner, but it’s stacked with a deep roster of Grade 2 and Grade 3 veterans, making it the well-matched Grade 2 affair it has now become.

None of this weekend’s entries break into my top 10 just yet, but the winner is almost guaranteed to punch their ticket into the rankings next week. More on the race below.

Older dirt males

1. White Abarrio. Scored another win, this time in the Ghostzapper (G3) at Gulfstream. The Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner will run next in the Met Mile (G1) on Belmont Stakes day.

2. Locked. Unleashing a tour de force in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), he secured his first Grade 1 win since his juvenile days. Though he started the year playing second fiddle to White Abarrio in the Pegasus, his Big 'Cap domination proved he might deserve another crack. Will run next in the Alysheba (G2) on Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs.

3. Hit Show. His win in the Dubai World Cup might have been a surprise to some, but not here. If he can bring that form back to the U.S., he will be a major player in this division.

4. Sierra Leone. Ran the worst race of his career in his seasonal debut in the New Orleans Classic (G2). No excuses, but he doesn't drop in these rankings and deserves one mulligan given the equity he has built on his résumé.

5. 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. Sidelined since, he apparently is pointed to a start on Kentucky Derby weekend at Aqueduct in the Westchester (G3).

Next five: Express Train, Mindframe, Hall of Fame, Just a Touch, Touchupsonastar

Skippylongstocking is a familiar name around these rankings, and he has popped into my top 10 before. Although he’s made a habit of vanishing in Grade 1 company, going 0-for-9 with seven off-the-board finishes, he’s been a force in Grade 2 and 3 races, winning eight of 12 starts at that level.

Last year’s Oaklawn Handicap champ returns to defend his title, but the competition is stiffer this time around. He’ll battle for favoritism with First Mission and Banishing in what promises to be a far deeper edition than a year ago.

First Mission looked sharp in his 2025 debut, finishing a close third to Alexander Helios in the Razorback (G3), and that rival’s back for more this weekend. It was a much-needed rebound after a checkered 2024 campaign that included unplaced finishes in both the Stephen Foster (G1) and Whitney (G1). If he can repeat that last performance, he’s got every right to be in the thick of things at the wire.

In 2023, Disarm looked like a rising star. He hit the board in both the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Lexington (G3) then ran a solid fourth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten just over four lengths. He was a highly ranked 3-year-old male around these parts. He followed that with a strong runner-up finish in the Travers (G1), and expectations were sky high heading into his 4-year-old campaign. But things didn't go as expected. His lone win from five starts last year came in an optional claimer, and more troubling was the drop in his speed figures. Hee simply wasn’t the same horse. He’s 1-for-1 in 2025 with a narrow win in another optional claimer, but until he starts resembling his 3-year-old form again, it’s tough to envision him in the winner's circle.

Banishing and Alexander Helios were one-two in the Razerback. Banishing might find the nine furlongs of the Oaklawn Handicap out of his scope, but he is in the best form of his career right now and could win this with the right trip. The Razerback winner, Alexander Helio was running in his first stakes race, but another win here would be a surprise to me.

Will one of these contenders, or a familiar face like Red Route One, who’s also entered, step up as a major force in the older dirt male division this year? Probably not. But that doesn’t take anything away from the intrigue of this weekend’s race. A repeat win by Skippylongstocking would be noteworthy, making him the first horse to go back-to-back in the 48-year history of the Oaklawn Handicap.

Older dirt females

1. Thorpedo Anna. Another race, another stroll in the park, this time in the Apple Blossom (G1). I'll give credit where it’s due, and she just keeps winning. It’s not her fault she draws historically weak fields in races such as the Apple Blossom. Next stop is the La Troienne (G1) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend, where maybe Cavalieri will show up to give her a battle.

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. Disappointed she didn't make the trip to Oaklawn for the Apple Blossom.

3. Richi. The import from Chile has been 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. Don't box her in as just a sprinter. She has proven her stamina with a Group 1 win at 10 furlongs in Chile. She's back this weekend to run in the Santa Maria (G2) at Santa Anita.

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. Power Squeeze. She ran surprisingly well last time out in the Ghostzapper (G3), finishing second to White Abarrio and hanging in tough with the big boy. No one in this division has tackled tougher company in 2025, having already squared off against males twice.

Next five: Candied, Sugar Fish, Randomized, Free Like a Girl, Just F Y I

3-year-old males

1. Journalism. He did exactly what he needed to do in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), showing grit and class as he reeled in the game newcomer Baeza late. It was a performance worthy of a Kentucky Derby favorite. Although it might not have been a lights-out win, it was professional, and he’s clearly trending the right way. He’ll head to Louisville with momentum and plenty of buzz, though a few of the contenders ranked below him aren't as far behind him and I was once thought.

2. Sovereignty. He fell short in the Florida Derby (G1), but his late run ensured he lost no momentum on the road to Churchill. Tappan Street had his measure that day, but with a stakes win already under the twin spires, he’ll be a major player when it matters most.

3. Sandman. He finally found his stride, breaking through with his first stakes win in the Arkansas Derby (G1) thanks to a pace that set him up perfectly. But for all his experience with eight starts under his belt, he still looked a bit green in the stretch.

4. Burnham Square. The good news? He returned to the winner’s circle with a Blue Grass (G1) victory. The bad news? They crawled home late, and the way he finished did little to convince me that 10 furlongs is in his wheelhouse. That said, his body of work this season earns him a spot this high. Whether he stays there after Derby day is another story.

5. Tappan Street. The Florida Derby winner in just his third career start, he was runner-up to Burnham Square in the Holy Bull (G3) one race prior.

Next 7: Rodriguez, Tiztastic, Baeza, Coal Battle, Grande, Final Gambit, Citizen Bull

3-year-old fillies

1. Good Cheer. She’s now 6-for-6 in her career after her win in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). With three Grade 2 stakes victories under her belt, she’ll aim for her first Grade 1 win in the Kentucky Oaks next.

2. Quietside. She delivered a thrilling victory in the Fantasy (G2), outdueling Simply Joking in what could be the race of the year so far. After her impressive Honeybee (G3) win two races ago, she’ll head to the Kentucky Oaks as the second choice behind Good Cheer.

3. Simply Joking. She put up a fierce fight in the Fantasy, going toe-to-toe with Quietside for nearly the entire race. That runner-up finish was her first blemish in three starts.

4. La Cara. Facile winner of the Ashland (G1), this gal finished runner-up in the Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream before that.

5. Five G. Second in the Honeybee (G3) two starts back to Quietside, she scored her first graded-stakes win last out in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

Next five: Tenma, Muhimma, Ballerina d'Oro, Eclatant, Nitrogen

Turf males

1. Carl Spackler. Returned with authority, romping in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland and reminding everyone why he’s a force on turf. With Grade 1 wins in three of his last four starts, he rockets to the top of the division.

2. Far Bridge. He kicked off 2025 with a hard-fought neck victory in the Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream, a win that propelled him to the top of a division desperately craving order. With two Grade 1 wins last year, he could run next on Kentucky Derby weekend in the Turf Classic (G1).

3. Spirit of St Louis. Finished fourth, beaten by less than two lengths, last out in the Muniz Memorial presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) at Fair Grounds. It was a disappointing effort, and it sent this division into further disarray. He does have that win in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), where he won his first graded stakes. A winner of 10 of 15 starts, this was only his second off-the-board finish.

4. Johannes. Kept his hot streak going with a win in the San Gabriel (G2) in 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.

5. Integration. He’s been second-best in back-to-back Grade 1s but far from disappointing. Kicked off the season with a strong runner-up effort in the Pegasus Turf, followed by another solid showing last out in the Maker’s Mark Mile.

Next five: Nation's Pride, Formidable Man, Dashman, Atitlan, Corruption

Turf females

1. Choisya. Hard to say she was truly best in the Jenny Wiley (G1), considering the interference with runner-up Excellent Truth. After an objection and steward’s review, she stayed up, and that's a call I wouldn’t have made. Still, she’s 3-for-3 this season, which is why she lands on top for now and holds her place in the top five. But unless she returns to race in the U.S., that spot won’t last long.

2. Excellent Truth. She was clearly best in the Jenny Wiley but had to settle for second behind Choisya in her seasonal debut. If she doesn’t resurface on U.S. soil soon, though, expect her to slide down these rankings in the coming weeks.

3. Kehoe Beach. Ran a career best race in the Jenny Wiley, where she finished a good third in her seasonal debut. Big things are expected from this daughter of Omaha Beach in 2025.

4. Sacred Wish. Her fourth-place finish in the Jenny Wiley was a bit underwhelming, but she has done enough to hold her spot in the top five. Before that, she ran a game second in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2), just a neck behind Be Your Best. Last year’s Matriarch (G1) winner has been a steady force in the division, hitting the board in three other graded stakes and continuing to show up in the major events.

5. Saffron Moon. Has won both of her starts this season, the Endeavour (G3) and Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa.

Next five: Beach Bomb, AG Bullet, Lady Claypoole, Special Wan, Be Your Best

Male sprinters

1. 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 in style, taking the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia.

2. Raging Torrent. Scored a big win in the Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan and before that he scored a win in the Malibu (G1) last December. He faced Straight No Chaser in the Breeders' Cup Sprint last fall and finished well back.

3. Book'em Danno. Made his 2025 debut a winning one as he scored in a race at Colonial Downs, beating just two others. Connections wisely chose to skip Dubai and keep him in the U.S. for the remainder of the season. Could see him in stakes action on Kentucky Derby weekend.

4. Big City Lights. This guy won his first start of of 2025 in the California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in a romp, and before that he romped in the Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar. Placed in three graded-stakes races last season but appears to be a step above that form now.

5. 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 is back working for a possible stakes start on Kentucky Derby weekend.

Next five: Nakatomi, Booth, Bentornato, Mufasa, Federal Judge

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.

2. 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.

3. Hope Road. Second best to the top one in the Santa Monica last out, she won two stakes last season.

4. Richi. Ran well when stretching out last time against Cavalieri and before that ran well against Kopion. Won the Las Flores (G3) sprinting in her first start of 2025.

5. Emery. Has run first or second in five straight major races in this division, all graded stakes. Was runner-up in the Madison (G1) last out

Next five: Positano Sunset, Mystic Lake, Pleasant, Spirit Wind, Ways and Means