Racing Divisions by Deepness (US Only)

Excluding the 2yo's (since they really don't get the ball rolling until June), these are the racing divisions based on deepness. It goes from least deepest, to the most. I should note that these are for US based horses only.

Sprinter Female: It's not that this group is deep, it's that you don't really know who are the contenders and who are the pretenders until really July when the 3yo Fillies begin their G1 races for Sprint distances. The same goes for the Older Females who have 2 G1's in the first six months and then have have tons in the last six months. If I had a horse that I'm looking forward to seeing, it's Switch who hopefully finally breaks through the seconditis that she has in the BC F/M Sprint.

Turf Female: While there are several nice 4yo's including Winter Memories, Marketing Mix and Hungry Island. This is a division that prob. will be dominated by the ex-Europeans this year. Although there are 2 very nice fillies who are 3yo's, Stephanie's Kitten who is Royal Ascot bound and Hard Not to Like whose more likely main track bound, but don't be surprised if she makes some noise like Marketing Mix did last year.

Turf Male: While the retirements of Gio Ponti and Cape Blanco do hurt, Acclamation will pick up the slack. If Ultimate Eagle returns to the turf (which after his disastrous Big Cap I assume he will be), he could be a nice horse. Also keep an eye on the shippers who have always done well in this division.

3yo Female: Last year, it looked like that the Females would once again be the better of the sexes for this year's 3yo's. After the injury of Weemissfrankie, the fact that My Miss Aurelia had a setback and that Grace Hall lost in her season debut, now really casts a little bit of doubt on this division. Again though, it's very early in the year, but Princess Arabella could be the one to beat for the Lillys. Don't count out Grace Hall, Zo Impressive or Eden's Moon though, they could challenge Arabella for the top spot.

3yo Male: The division did take a hit when Algorthims got injured and will miss some time (you can now add Out of Bounds as well). That being said, Union Rags won his debut pretty well and Hansen was able to bounce back in his races this past weekend with a win in the Gotham. Out West, you have Creative Cause, Midnight Transfer, I'll Have Another, and Empire Way (who outside of Midnight Transfer excited to see what he does).

Sprinter/Miler Male: The reason why I'm combining the sprinters and milers for this division is that many of these horses can win at either a sprint distance or at a mile. Just take a look at whose in this division, you have The Factor, Caleb's Posse, Shackleford, Calibrachoa, Amazombie, Jackson Bend, Force Freez and that's just the established horses. Then there are the up and comers like Soaring Stocks and Drill (3yo).

Older Male: Last week I posted about this division and how I think it's back. For the first time in years the winners of all three TC races return as four year olds (Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Ruler on Ice). Plus you have last year's BCC runner up in Game on Dude, and this year's Big Cap winner Ron the Greek. Setsuko can challenge and you add in Stay Thirsty who could destroy the New York stakes races. Returners such as Pants on Fire and Nehro, you have a talented group. Yes Uncle Mo was retired and Flat Out is not the same horse he was last year. However, if both Wise Dan and Mission Impazible can stay healthy, as well as Hymn Book show that his Donn win was not a fluke, we could be in for a great class. Keep an eye on newcomers Nate's Mineshaft, I think he could give Nehro fits in the NO Handicap.

and the deepest division on racing:

Older Female: I find it amazing that even after the retirements of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta that the fillies and mares are still dominating. After a so-so group last year, it got deeper with some very nice 3yo's turning four. Of course you have the 3yo champ in Royal Delta who didn't return strong, but it looks like Dubai is still in the plans. It's Tricky returned to the winners circle this past Saturday. Then you have Joyful Victory who prob. is not as talented her HOY winning stablemate, but she could be a nice backup if something where to happen. Then there is Awesome Maria, brilliantly talented and could give Havre de Grace some fits, but I don't think as much as Awesome Feather who has yet to lose a race. Despite only running 2 races last year (including the Gazelle), she could be a horse that may never lose a race. Last, but not certainly least, the defending HOY. Say what you will about Grace's competition last year, but it's not her fault that who showed up did. I'm very excited to see what she does as a 5yo, and hopefully we see her trying males again like she did last year.