You might think I’m over the top, but I’m confident in saying that this Saturday’s Grade 1 California Crown at Santa Anita is showcasing the strongest lineup of male dirt horses we’ve witnessed all year.

My apologies to the fans on the East Coast, especially those in Saratoga. Who could have predicted that come the final Saturday of September, Santa Anita would be the venue hosting a face-off between the leading two older dirt males and a top-notch 3-year-old bold enough to challenge both?

Click here for Santa Anita entries and results.

Previously known as the Goodwood and the Awesome Again, the race now called the California Crown never fails to excite. This year’s stories are especially compelling. Muth, fresh off his Arkansas Derby victory, is challenging older horses and another Grade 1 win could significantly boost his Eclipse Award prospects. Adding to the drama is the third seasonal clash between National Treasure and Señor Buscador, who have each won one of their past encounters.

Let’s delve deeper into these narratives shortly, but first, a look at the latest rankings in this week’s division.

Older Dirt Males

1. National Treasure. This weekend, he competes in the California Crown against the strongest assembly of male horses seen all year. Despite a less-than-stellar performance in the sloppy Whitney (G1), extending his losing streak on off tracks to 0-for-3, he remains the top contender. With two Grade 1 victories already this year, a win this weekend could all but secure the Eclipse Award for him, regardless of his results at the Breeders’ Cup.

2. Señor Buscador. Last seen using the Pat O’Brien (G2) as a prep for the California Crown, he made a strong closing run to finish fourth, beaten by just over six lengths in the seven-furlong sprint. He began the year with a narrow defeat to National Treasure in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), won the Saudi Cup (G1) in February, and secured a third in the Dubai World Cup (G1). This weekend is critical: a win is necessary to keep his Eclipse Award hopes alive, and remember, he hasn’t won on U.S. soil this year.

3. Highland Falls. His last outing in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) was spectacular, resulting in a major win where he battled early on with Arthur’s Ride. Pulling ahead on the far turn, he finished strongly, marking the most significant victory of his nine-race career. Half of his starts this season have ended in victory, including the Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs in June.

4. Pyrenees. A model of consistency, he has three wins from five starts this season with two additional runner-up finishes in Grade 1 races, the Stephen Foster and most recently the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

5. Skippylongstocking. He takes this spot somewhat by default, as no other horse truly stands out. Although he has secured three graded-stakes victories this season, he has not performed well in his two Grade 1 attempts. He will compete this weekend in a diluted Woodward (G2), a race that has lost some of its historical prestige.

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Next 5: Arthur’s Ride, Saudi Crown, Next, Crupi, Mixto.

Older Dirt Females

1. Idiomatic. Even though she was narrowly defeated by Raging Sea in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, Idiomatic’s performance was perhaps her most impressive yet. After a fierce duel, she took the lead turning for home only to be edged out at the finish. She remains the leader heading into her next race, the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland in October.

2. Adare Manor. The announcement of her retirement came Thursday, cutting short her Eclipse hopes. She holds her ranking for now, based on a stellar season that included a decisive win in her last start at the Clement L. Hirsch (G1), showing remarkable heart and a burst of speed to take the lead on the far turn and secure a solid victory. She went 3-for-4 this season with two Grade 1 wins, leading her division.

3. Raging Sea. She pulled off a surprise win in the Personal Ensign (G1), using her strong late run to overtake Idiomatic at the wire. She has three graded stakes wins this season and is a contender to finish the year on top.

4. Randomized. She engaged in an early duel with Idiomatic in the Personal Ensign but faded to finish fifth, over 15 lengths behind. However, she did achieve an upset win over Idiomatic earlier this season in the Ogden Phipps (G1) and will have a chance to prove herself again this fall.

5. Sweet Azteca. She continued her dominance with another convincing win in the Rancho Bernardo (G3) last out. Her connections are targeting the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, where she will be a strong contender on her home track. She has won five out of her six career starts.

Next 5: Scylla, Honor D Lady, Shotgun Hottie, Flying Connection, Desert Dawn.

3-year-old Males

1. Fierceness.  He entered the Travers (G1) with many doubting his ability, but he proved his mettle by holding off Thorpedo Anna in a thrilling stretch duel. He’s back at the top of his division and will prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, facing a likely tougher field and unlikely to enjoy the favorable pace he had previously. For now, he holds the top spot.

2. Dornoch. He had no excuses in the Travers, having benefited from slow early fractions set by Batten Down. Yet, he has victories in the Belmont and Haskell (G1) to his credit. He’s still in the running for the Eclipse Award and will return to try to make up for his Travers disappointment. He too will prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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3. Seize the Grey. He ended a two-race losing streak with a significant win in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), thrusting him back into the Eclipse Award discussion. This son of Arrogate now controls his destiny for the Eclipse. Just win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His connections are opting for the Classic over the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. If he wins, the Eclipse should be his.

4. Sierra Leone. Despite consistently strong performances, Sierra Leone has yet to clinch a major victory. He did well under the circumstances in the Travers, but lacking the tactical speed of Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna, he faced a disadvantage with the slow pace. He remains a top contender and could surprise us if the pace is in his favor at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

5. Mystik Dan. He stumbled in the Belmont but remains a top contender due to his performances in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. His team is considering sending him to California for the Malibu (G1) in December as his comeback race.

Next 5: Forever Young, Stronghold, Muth, Dragoon Guard, Catching Freedom.


3-year-old Fillies

1. Thorpedo Anna. She clinched the Cotillion at Parx by a diminishing neck, securing yet another win. It was her fourth Grade 1 victory this season. Before the Cotillion, she had unexpectedly elevated her performance to finish a strong second in the Travers. The Cotillion saw a notable drop in speed figures from her previous race, raising questions about the accuracy of some figures assigned in the Travers. She faces a challenging path ahead if she runs in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

2. Power Squeeze. She could do no better than seventh in the Cotillion, beaten by nearly 10 lengths by Thorpedo Anna. Previously, she captured a narrow victory in the Alabama (G1), edging out Candied by a head. She has three graded stakes wins this season.

3. Candied. She’s had two consecutive strong runner-up finishes in Grade 1 races. The Alabama came just weeks after her second-place finish to Thorpedo Anna in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). Before that, she triumphed in the Lady’s Secret at Monmouth Park.

4. Gun Song. She almost caused a major upset in the Cotillion, rallying after being overtaken by her rival to nearly secure the win. She has one graded-stakes victory this year but prepped for the Cotillion with a listed-stakes win, and she seems to be improving with age.

5. Tarifa. She finished third to Thorpedo Anna in the Cotillion and has two graded-stakes wins this season. 

Next 5: Sugar Fish, Hope Road, Nothing Like You, Ways and Means, Leslie’s Rose.

Turf Males

1. Johannes. He returns to action this weekend in the City of Hope Mile (G2) at Santa Anita, aiming for his fourth graded-stakes win of the season. With a 6-for-10 career record, he’s establishing himself as a serious contender in this division. He benefits from not having to leave his California base, with the Breeders’ Cup Mile being held conveniently at Del Mar. 

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2. Cogburn. He made a strong comeback in the Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs with another impressive win. He remains undefeated this season, now 3-for-3. While it’s challenging for a turf sprinter to win an Eclipse Award, Stormy Liberal did it in 2018 when the division was lacking a standout. Could Cogburn achieve the same this year? Absolutely.

3. Measured Time. He returned to racing in the Sword Dancer (G1) but was upset, finishing as the runner-up to Far Bridge. In his only other U.S. start this season, he dominated the Manhattan on Belmont Stakes day, marking his first Grade 1 win.

4. Silver Knott. He never saw the lead in the Sword Dancer last out, finishing third as he, too, was upset by Far Bridge. Now 3-for-4 in 2024, all his wins came in Grade 2 events.

5. Master of The Seas. He won the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) impressively in his last outing, bringing his total to three Grade 1 victories in his last four starts in North America. After his win in April, his team decided to rest him. They planned to start him in the Fourstardave (G1), but he was scratched due to a foot bruise. This highlights the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise. His inactivity has caused his ranking to drop.

Next 5: Carl Spackler, Far Bridge, Nation’s Pride, Goliad, Win for the Money.

Turf Females

1. Whitebeam. She claims the top spot after Didia and Anisette lost at Del Mar. Last month, she secured a victory in the Diana (G1) against the toughest field of female turf horses this season. Before that, she was runner-up in two graded stakes. She’s set to race next in the First Lady (G1) at Keeneland in October.

2. War Like Goddess. She was the victim of pace once again in her last

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