A Glimpse of Hope for the Older Dirt Male Division

Current Standings

In the older dirt male division, National Treasure stands out. With two major Grade 1 wins and a near miss in another, his resume surpasses all other eligible horses. Subsanador showed promise earlier but was sidelined due to injury. Newgate has been a solid performer, winning the Santa Anita Handicap and finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Highland Falls had a moment of glory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup but a dismal ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic marred his season. Hit Show had an underwhelming performance in the Clark.

Next in line are Señor Buscador, Full Serrano, Tapit Trice, Arthur’s Ride, and Rattle N Roll.

Potential for a Renaissance

There's a glimmer of hope for 2025. The upcoming season promises the return of several standout 3-year-olds from this year, potentially leading to a renaissance. In horse racing, fortunes can change in an instant. As of now, the older dirt male division shows promise and may be able to reclaim some of its lost prestige.

Upcoming Races and Contenders

Fierceness recently underwent an elective hind ankle procedure and is set to make a comeback in June with the Met Mile in mind. Sierra Leone has the Saudi Cup in February and the Pegasus World Cup in January. Forever Young is aiming for a Middle East campaign and a return to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Mystik Dan is staging a comeback in December's Malibu Stakes, and other notable 3-year-olds like Mindframe and Catching Freedom are also gearing up for a 2025 return.

Locked, who had a breakout win in last year's Breeders’ Futurity and a solid third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, is now aiming for the Pegasus World Cup in January.

Conclusion

The older dirt male division has been bleak, but with this talented pool returning, there's reason to be optimistic. However, in horse racing, anything can happen, and the future remains uncertain. Fans will have to wait and see how these contenders perform in the upcoming seasons.