Division rankings: Spotlight shifts to the ladies on the turf

After the fireworks of Journalism’s Preakness heroics, this week lets us finally move the 3-year-old male division to the back burner. Time to exhale, recalibrate and turn our attention to the turf queens. 

Memorial Day brings the Gamely at Santa Anita, just the second Grade 1 turf opportunity of the year for the ladies and a golden chance for Be Your Best to reclaim her spot in my top five. She flashed that form in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) and now gets the perfect stage for a comeback. 

She’s not the only one in the Gamely with a shot to break into the top five. We’ll get to the others in a moment, and I’ve got thoughts on the Preakness too. But first, here’s where my turf female rankings stand heading into the weekend.

Turf females

1. She Feels Pretty. Kicked off her 2025 campaign in style with an easy win in the Modesty (G3) at Churchill on Kentucky Oaks day. She ended her stellar 3-year-old season with back-to-back Grade 1 victories in the Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland and the American Oaks at Santa Anita. She picks up right where she left off, reclaiming the top spot in the division.

2. 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. But unless she returns to race in the U.S., this spot won’t last long.

3. 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, expect her to slide down these rankings in the coming weeks.

4. 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.

5. Saffron Moon. Didn't run badly in the Modesty, finishing third and beaten by about three lengths by She Feels Pretty. Previously she won the Endeavour (G3) and Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa.

Next five: Gimme a Nother, Beach Bomb, Lady Claypoole, Be Your Best, Sacred Wish

Before we dive into the Gamely, let’s talk Preakness, specifically Umberto Rispoli’s ride aboard Journalism. Call it gutsy, call it brilliant, I call it the ride of the year so far. And to the chorus of armchair jockeys, social media trainers and self-proclaimed experts ripping him apart? Fire away. The guy did his job and did it flawlessly. 

Critics ask, “Why risk the rail when you’re on the horse to beat?” Rispoli explained it himself. Journalism wasn’t traveling all that well down the backstretch, and when he tipped him out, he didn’t fire. So Rispoli ducked inside, and that’s when the colt finally responded. They held their line, and it was Goal Oriented and Flavien Prat who drifted in, trying to shut the door. Rispoli didn’t flinch. He trusted his horse, stayed committed, and the duo pulled off one of the bravest moves you’ll ever see. 

And to the folks whining about the Triple Crown spacing? Three of the top four finishers came back on two weeks’ rest. So much for that tired excuse. As I’ve said before, the Preakness is more often than not the crown jewel of the Triple Crown series. Since the Eclipse era began, its winners churned out more Eclipse champions than either the Derby or the Belmont and frankly, more memorable races too. The Triple Crown series is just fine where it is. We’ve had two Triple Crown winners in the last 10 years. If you ask me, that’s too many. It’s supposed to be difficult. 

I ended last week’s piece by stating that by the time the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans is draped, Journalism might have done more than just win another race. He might have silenced the skeptics and stolen the spotlight from a no-show Derby winner. That’s exactly how it played out, and in these rankings, at least, Journalism has reclaimed the No. 1 spot he briefly surrendered after that sloppy setback in Louisville. 

Switching gears to the grass gals. None of my top-five ranked runners are in Monday’s Gamely (G1). But don’t let that fool you. A trio of turf fillies are lurking just outside the spotlight and are ready to make a statement. 

Be Your Best headlines that group, but keep an eye on Public Assembly, who’s 2-for-2 this year and fresh off her first stakes score in the Royal Heroine (G3). Another win would mover her into the rankings conversation. 

Then there’s Lady Claypool, sitting at No. 8 this week and bringing the best underdog story of the season. It took her nine starts to break her maiden and another seven to figure things out. But once the lightbulb came on, she hasn’t looked back. After grinding through the optional-claiming ranks, she upset the Santa Ana (G3) field at 11-1 to win her third straight. Her fairytale is still being written, and the Gamely could be her next chapter. 

Where’s My Ring might be better known for her dirt resume but will give it go on the grass in the Gamely. Alpha Bella has success on the dirt as well but has shown an affinity for the grass, scoring a graded win on the lawn last year.

Although the heavy hitters didn’t make it to the gate for the Gamely, opportunity is knocking for a few ambitious up-and-comers to shake up the turf female division. Maybe one of these rising stars make it to the big dance later this year when the Breeders’ Cup rolls around.

Older dirt males

1. White Abarrio. Added the Ghostzapper (G3) at Gulfstream to his resume weeks after his Pegasus World Cup (G1) triumph. Up next is the Met Mile (G1) on Belmont Stakes day.

2. Fierceness. Finally returned to the races, and it was worth the wait. He scored a popular win in the Alysheba (G1) run at 8 1/2 furlongs. Could run next in the Met Mile on Belmont day.

3. Hit Show. His win in the Dubai World Cup (G1) 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. Locked. Turned in the worst performance of his career in the Alysheba, finishing a distant fourth and beaten over six lengths. That effort was in sharp contrast to his previous outing, a dominant win in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

5. First Mission. Turned in the race of his life in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), handling a tough crew of Grade 2 and Grade 3 vets. He’s still chasing that elusive Grade 1 win, but with only 12 starts under his belt two starts into his 5-year-old season, there’s still time and now, momentum. The Stephen Foster (G1) in late June at Churchill Downs is next.

Next five: Sierra Leone, Most Wanted, Mindframe, Banishing, Touchupsonastar

Older dirt females

1. Thorpedo Anna. Can’t say I was shocked to see her finish off the board in the La Troienne (G1). The warning signs were there in her first two starts this year. She just hasn’t looked like the same filly from last season. No word yet on where she’ll show up next, but here’s hoping she can right the ship. For now, she still has the top spot.

2. Cavalieri. Undefeated in four starts and turning up the heat with each one. But for a horse who clearly means business, she’s been treating major races like optional Zoom meetings. No Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn, no La Troienne at Churchill, and now she’s ghosting the Santa Margarita (G2) in her own backyard. Championships aren’t handed out for perfect attendance at the barn. You’ve got to show up. She’ll be dropping in the rankings soon if this no-show streak continues.

3. Richi. She steamrolled the Santa Maria (G2) at Santa Anita, opening up by more than four lengths and giving a nice boost to Cavalieri, who beat her the race before. This Chilean import has done nothing but impress since arriving stateside. She has five solid efforts since June, and don’t forget that Group 1 win at 10 furlongs back home. She’s got stamina, class and momentum. A serious player in this division.

4. Raging Sea. The good news? She won the La Troienne in her seasonal debut. The bad news? From a speed figure standpoint, it was one of the slowest Grade 1 wins by an older dirt female in decades.

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: Gin Gin, Randomized, Free Like a Girl, Sugar Fish, Taxed

3-year-old males

1. Journalism. Many won't like that I moved him right back to the top, but this is how I see it. I feel his slop loss to Sovereignty at Churchill downs was an aberration. His Preakness score was remarkable, and part of me hopes he skips the Belmont. We will see how things play out, but if the season ended today, ask yourself this question. Which horse would you vote for the Eclipse? My answer is Journalism.

2. Sovereignty. Super impressive in winning the Kentucky Derby, waiting five weeks for the Belmont Stakes. 

3. Baeza. Drew into the Derby field just days before the race and made the most of it, finishing a strong third and missing second by only a neck. He is pointed to the Belmont, where he will be a major player for the win.

4. Burnham Square. Had a horrible trip in the Kentucky Derby but still managed to finish a better-than-it-looked sixth. Before that he won the Blue Grass (G1). Will run next in the Matt Wynn (G3) at Churchill in June.

5. Sandman. Ran a good third in the Preakness, rebounding from his seventh in Louisville. Before the Derby, he notched his first stakes win in the Arkansas Derby (G1), capitalizing on a pace scenario that was favorable. 

Next 5: Tappan Street, Rodriguez, Gosger, Final Gambit, Tiztastic

3-year-old fillies

1. Good Cheer. Dominant winner of the Kentucky Oaks, she is now an eye-catching 7-for-7 in her career. She will head to the Acorn (G1) on Belmont weekend to try to make it eight wins in a row.

2. Quietside. Didn’t look like she cared for the slop in the Kentucky Oaks, fading to sixth. Before that, she delivered a gutsy win in the Fantasy (G2), outdueling Simply Joking in a thrilling stretch battle. Still think she is a top-three filly in this division.

3. Tenma. Ran better than I expected in the Kentucky Oaks when attending a quick pace but faltering late to finish fourth. Previously she scored in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

4. La Cara. She may not have handled the wet track in the Kentucky Oaks, finishing a distant ninth, but I’m not ready to drop her just yet. Her win in the Ashland (G1) and runner-up effort in the Davona Dale (G2) still carry weight, so she holds onto a top-five spot for now.

5. Drexel Hill. The Kentucky Oaks runner-up was coming off of a listed stakes win in the Busher at Aqueduct. 

Next five: Five G, Nitrogen, Simply Joking, Muhimma, Look Forward

Turf males

1. Spirit of St Louis. Scored a popular win in the Turf Classic (G1) on Kentucky Derby day, giving him two Grade 1 wins already this season. 

2. Carl Spackler. Returned this season 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 is back near the top of a division that looks deep for the first time in years.

3. Far Bridge. He scored another win in the Man o' War (G2) at Aqueduct. Previous to that he kicked off 2025 with a hard-fought neck victory in the Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream. He has won four of his last five starts in what is now suddenly a very interesting make grass division. 

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. Back in training now, and I'm hoping to see him back at the races soon.

5. Think Big. This turf sprinter has won the two biggest turf sprint stakes in the U.S. this season, the Shakertown (G2) at Keeneland and the Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Next five: Formidable Man, Integration, Dashman, Atitlan, Utah Beach

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 with a win in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia. Targeting the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar in late July for his next start.

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

3. Mindframe. I’m going to go ahead and slot him into this division because, let’s be honest, his only stakes win came sprinting. And last time out, he beat a tough field in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), so he’s earned his spot here.

4. Book'em Danno. Suffered a brutal defeat, losing by two heads and a neck to finish fourth in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1). But he showed he belongs with the division's elite, and that’s enough to keep his spot in the rankings intact

5. Mullikin. He too ran a bang-up race in the Churchill Downs Stakes, losing by a little more than a length when fifth. 

Next five: Booth, Big City Lights, Nakatomi, Bentornato, Mufasa

Female sprinters

1. Kopion. Made a mockery of her 8-1 morning line in the Derby City Distaff (G1), storming home with authority and leaving no doubt who rules this division. That’s three graded-stakes wins in a row, each faster than anything we’ve seen from any division this season.

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 once again to the division leader in the Derby City Distaff (G1) for her second straight runner-up finish. But this time she outran several other top members of this division, cementing her place in this top five.

4. Richi. Turned in a facile win last out while stretching out in the Santa Maria (G2), showing she’s just as effective going longer. Earlier in the season, she was runner-up to Cavalieri in the Beholder Mile (G1) and third behind Kopion in the Santa Monica (G2) after kicking off her campaign with a win sprinting in the Las Flores (G3). 

5. Emery. Ran first or second in five straight major races in this division, all graded stakes. Off the board in the Derby City Distaff when fifth, and before that she was runner-up in the Madison (G1).

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