Division rankings: Next looks to pad his résumé in the Brooklyn

With several graded stakes on tap for the weekend, I figured it was time to
spotlight a horse who stands out in today’s horse racing landscape.

Next, a 6-year-old gelding sired by Not This Time, has run 20 times
in his career. By historical standards, that might not seem remarkable, but by
today’s standards, it is indeed rare.

What makes Next even more unusual is his performance in longer races. Since
being stretched out to marathon distances in fall 2022, Next has won six of seven starts, all of which were stakes wins.

What is a marathon distance? In the U.S., we consider any race over 1 1/4 miles, to be a marathon distance. Unfortunately
for Next, who is a dirt horse, there are few graded-stakes opportunities at
these distances nowadays, and none with a Grade 1 designation.

Next will be heavily favored Friday in the Brooklyn Stakes (G2), a race
that used to be the Brooklyn Handicap. The Brooklyn Handicap was a 12-furlong
race from 1977 through 1990 and was a major race during that time.

More insight on Next, and what could have been if races such as the Brooklyn
and Jockey Club Gold Cup were still run at their popular 12-furlong distances,
will follow after I take a look at my updated division rankings below.

Older dirt males

1. National Treasure. Dominant in the Met Mile (G1), he now leads this division. He might return to New York from his California home base for the Whitney (G1) in August at Saratoga. For now, he must be ranked at the top.

2. Señor Buscador. His record this year has been impressive. He started the season with a close second-place finish to National Treasure in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in January. He followed that with a victory in the Saudi Cup (G1) in February and a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March. Now, the focus is on preparing for the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar in late August, likely using the San Diego Handicap (G2) in late July as a prep race.

3. Kingsbarns. Very impressive in the Stephen Foster as he scored his first Grade 1 win. With two graded-stakes wins now on the season, this son of Uncle Mo most certainly can contend for the Eclipse in this division. Will now most likely skip the Whitney and wait for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Sept. 1.

4. First Mission. Found the waters a bit too deep in the Stephen Foster when off the board. He began his season with a ninth-place finish in the Pegasus World Cup but was been impressive in his two subsequent starts, winning the Essex (G3) at Oaklawn and the Alysheba (G2) at Churchill Downs.

5. Mr. Fisk. The winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) and the Californian (G3), he has run well out west. Two decades ago, these victories would have made him a strong contender for the Eclipse Award, but today, these races hold less significance. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during his Gold Cup win and is unlikely to race again. Despite this setback, he deserves recognition and remains in the top five for now.

Next 5: Pyrenees, Bright Future, Skippylongstocking, Next, Newgate

Older dirt females

1. Idiomatic. Despite falling short in the Ogden Phipps (G1) during Belmont Stakes weekend, she was arguably the best horse in the race given her trip. This setback hasn’t diminished her standing at the top, with a significant gap between her and the others. Her schedule for the remainder of the season is set. She will compete next in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth on July 20, followed by the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 23, a race she won last year. Idiomatic will conclude her season with the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, both of which she also won last year.

2. Randomized. She delivered a stellar performance in the Phipps, upsetting Idiomatic. Last fall, she nearly pulled off an upset against the same rival in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her season record stands at 1-for-2.

3. Adare Manor. Another start, another win for this mare. Most recently, she triumphed in the Santa Margarita (G2) at Santa Anita. Before that, she made an appearance outside her home state of California, winning impressively by more than five lengths in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn. She now boasts a record of 2-for-3 this season.

4. Sweet Azteca. Won her first graded stakes last out in the Beholder Mile (G1) in March and finally returns to the races this weekend in the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos. She is 3-for-4 in her short career.

5. Scylla. This daughter of Tapit has risen up these ranks steadily and now has won her last three starts. Last out she scored a narrow win in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. She is 5-for-7 in her career and hasn’t been off the board yet.

Next 5: Pretty Mischievous, Shotgun Hottie, Coffee in Bed, Desert Dawn, Bellamore

3-year-old males

1. Mystik Dan. He faltered in the Belmont, but he remains at the top because of his achievements in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He also earns credit in my view for consistently showing up and competing, a quality few of the contenders below him can claim.

2. Sierra Leone. He again ran a stellar race and again failed to run straight in the stretch when finishing third in the Belmont. Would be favored in a race against any horse in his division.

3. Forever Young. With one start in this country, this guy is ranked here even though he was likely the best horse who ran in the Kentucky Derby. Now 5-for-6 on his career, he globetrotted his way to Kentucky with wins this year in two countries already. Although it seems unlikely we’ll see him in the U.S. again soon, the Breeders’ Cup remains a possibility.

4. Seize the Grey. After an easy victory in the Preakness, he faded to a seventh-place finish in the Belmont. It’s likely a break is needed after already competing six times this season. The Travers (G1) is the next target.

5. Dornoch. Enigmatic colt scored his biggest win to date last out in the Belmont at 17-1 odds. Previous to that he was off the board in the Kentucky Derby and Blue Grass (G1). Will run next in the Haskell (G1), and a win there would be just as surprising as his win in the Belmont. I’m still not a believer.

Next 5: Muth, Fierceness, Batten Down, Catching Freedom, Mindframe

3-year-old females

1. Thorpedo Anna. She dominated once more, this time in the Acorn (G1). Before that, she showcased her talent in a competitive Kentucky Oaks (G1). Now 5-for-6 in her career, her next target could be the CCA Oaks (G1) later this month. Connections need to stick to races against her fellow females and resist the temptation to run against males. This division is shallow outside of this gal.

2. Leslie’s Rose. The Ashland (G1) winner rebounded from her off-the-board Kentucky Oaks run to finish a distant second in the Acorn.

3. Tarifa. Up the track in the Kentucky Oaks, but perhaps she disliked the off track. Still, with two graded-stakes wins this season, Tarifa stays in the top five here.

4. Sugar Fish. Has come out of nowhere and dominated the Summertime Oaks (G2) to win by over nine lengths. This gal was coming off an optional-claimer win and before that broke her maiden in an optional claimer.

5. Nothing Like You. Finished a distant second to Sugar Fish last out in the Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. This came after dominating the Santa Anita Oaks (G2), winning by more than seven lengths.

Next 5: Kinza, Power Squeeze, Regulatory Risk, Just F Y I, Ways and Means

Turf males

1. Master of The Seas. He won the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) impressively in his last outing, adding to his tally of three Grade 1 victories in his last four starts in North America. But his absence until August means he will drop from his current position. Although he currently holds the top spot, I’m disappointed that his connections have decided to rest him for four months, with his next start scheduled for the Fourstardave (G1) on Aug. 10.

2. Cogburn. He’s undefeated this season with a 2-for-2 record. In his last start, he scored a win in the Jaipur (G1) and set a record time, albeit on an exceptionally fast surface. Not since Stormy Liberal a few years ago has a turf sprinter held such a high ranking. It’s worth noting that a turf sprinter can contend for an Eclipse Award in this division, as demonstrated by Stormy Liberal in 2018. Cogburn is firmly in the mix for this year’s Eclipse honors.

3. Measured Time. Dominated the Manhattan (G1) in his first start in this country. It was the first Grade 1 win for this son of Frankel.

4. Program Trading. Disappointed in the Manhattan when off the board after making his seasonal debut a winning one in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend.

5. Naval Power. This guy is 6-for-9 in his career, and this year he just missed when runner-up in two Grade 1 events stateside, the last being the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs. Won a Group 2 event in Dubai earlier this season.

Next 5: Johannes, Du Jour, Silver Knott, Nation’s Pride, Gold Phoenix

Turf females

1. Didia. She impressed me with a commanding win over a strong field in the New York Stakes (G1) in her latest outing. Her season began with a win in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) in January, followed by a third-place finish in the Jenny Wiley (G1) in April. Will make her next start in the Diana (G1) on July 13 at Saratoga.

2. Chili Flag. Has won all three of her starts since her loss to Didia in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf. She was sensational in the Just a Game (G1) on Belmont Stakes weekend.

3. Anisette. She was exceptional in her 2024 debut, winning the Gamely (G1) at Santa Anita on Memorial Day. Since arriving in the country last season, she is 5-for-7, including four graded-stakes victories. Regarded as likely the best in the west, she poses a significant threat to ascend to the top of her division later this season.

4. Neecie Marie. Defeated Whitebeam in the Beaugay (G2) earlier this season and then took on the best in the division and ran well when runner-up to Didia in the New York Stakes.

5. Whitebeam. Runner-up in both of her starts this season, she ran well in the Just a Game, losing to Chili Flag.

Next 5: War Like Goddess, English Rose, Beautee Cachee, McKulick, Surge Capacity

Male sprinters

1. Skelly. Was stunned last time out in the Aristides at Churchill Downs when runner-up by a length to Closethegame Sugar. Previously he dominated the listed Lake Hamilton. Has won nine of his last 11 starts.

2. The Chosen Vron. He scored another win, this time in the Thor’s Echo Stakes at Santa Anita. This marks his fifth consecutive win since his loss in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last fall. With an impressive record of 18 wins from 23 career starts, he currently leads the way in the west within his division. The main question for him in 2024 will be whether he can compete with the elite in this division. Although he may need to show more speed, he is currently enjoying a successful streak in California.

3. Post Time. Ran a distant second to National Treasure in the Met Mile. Still deserves this top-five ranking here based on his sprint wins.

4. Gun Pilot. Failed as the favorite in the True North (G2) on Belmont Stakes weekend, finishing third. But previously scored his first stakes win in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), defeating a few ranked below.

5. Baby Yoda. This 6-year-old veteran scored a six-length win in the True North (G2) last time out. This was his first graded-stakes win in his 25-start career.

Next 5: Nakatomi, Happy Jack, Super Chow, Hoist the Gold, Closethegame Sugar

Female sprinters

1. Vahva. Returned two weeks ago to score an impressive win in the Chicago (G3) at Churchill Downs, running down Society in the stretch. Before this latest win she bested Alva Starr in the Derby City Distaff (G1) in early May, posting a facile two-length win after finishing runner-up to that rival in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland in April. Will point to the Ballerina (G1) in late August at Saratoga for he next start.

2. Alva Starr. The winner of the Madison (G1) in April, Alva Starr suffered suffered a catastrophic injury during a workout on July 3 and had to be euthanized. This brilliant daughter of Lord Nelson won six of her 10 career starts and was runner-up in the other four. My condolences to all of her connections, and she will remain here in this spot until another has the resume to pass her.

3. Three Witches. The third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last season began this year strongly with a victory in the Santa Monica (G2) at Santa Anita. But she faltered in her most recent outing, finishing seventh in the Derby City Distaff. She will run next in the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos this weekend.

4. Society. Made her first start of 2024 last week in the Chicago (G3) and ran well but faded to third. This gal was fourth in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and likely needed the race. She should improve next time out. The Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga is the long-term goal with a possible race prior.

5. Accede. Winner of the Bed O’ Roses (G2) last out, this daughter of Into Mischief is 2-for-2 this season.

Next 5: Flying Connection, Red Carpet Ready, Clearly Unhinged, Honor D Lady, Almostgone Rocket

Next can join elite company with another Brooklyn win

First, for my U.S. readers, Happy 4th of July!

Growing up, the 4th of July in horse racing always meant
heading to Arlington Park for the Stars and Stripes Handicap, where jockey Pat
Day won five renewals in the 1980s. Between races at Arlington, we would watch
the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park, which also was always run on the 4th of
July, regardless of the day of the week. Out west at Hollywood Park, the day
would wrap up with the American Handicap. These were major events on the racing
calendar back then.

In 2024, we have just one graded-stakes race on the 4th of
July, the Victory Ride (G3) at Aqueduct, but I digress.

The Brooklyn Stakes might not be what it once was, but it
still presents a significant opportunity for Next. Run at 12 furlongs, a
distance that suits him perfectly, it’s another chance for him to add a graded-stakes win to his resume. He also has the opportunity to join elite company if
he wins this race for the second year in a row.

I take great joy in typing the name Waquoit here. Waquoit
was the first and last horse to win the Brooklyn in back-to-back seasons, all
the way back in 1987-88. Like Next, Waquoit excelled at longer distances. He
swept both major 12-furlong races in his division in 1988, the Brooklyn
and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the latter by 15 lengths. Waquoit was nearly as
good at 10 furlongs, finishing third to Alysheba in the Woodward and Breeders’
Cup Classic that same year. He was one of my favorites.

Next is no Waquoit, but he has the potential to score
another win this weekend and continue on to his next marathon race targets, the
Birdstone at Saratoga and the Greenwood Cup at Parx. But imagine if the
Brooklyn and Jockey Club Gold Cup were still 12-furlong Grade 1 events. Would
Next have a path to the Eclipse in this division with the way it currently
stands? Absolutely. 

Lastly, as a side note, Friday morning, I’m heading to Las
Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker Main Event for the next few days or
more. I’ll be sporting my Horse Racing Nation hat, so if any readers are out there, feel free
to stop by and say hello.