Summer fun

I made a comment on Twitter a few weeks ago that this is as deep a year as I could remember talent wise across multiple divisions, and if Saturday's Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs is any indication, then the two-year-olds could be just as entertaining.

Just as the Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred birthdate of January 1 signals the start of Triple Crown prep season, the countdown to Breeders' Cup seemingly starts in earnest when racing returns to Del Mar and Saratoga. With mere weeks before we lift the lid on those two premier meets, here is a quick rundown of each division.

Older male: Quality Road is the leader with two Grade 1 wins, but he will have to keep winning because this division is as deep as it has been in a long time with good regional balance: Quality Road wintered in Florida and is now stabled in NY; Blame wintered at Fair Grounds and won at Churchill before heading to Saratoga; Rail Trip is on the West Coast. Add in I Want Revenge, Mine That Bird, and it's a good group.

Older female: Despite increased Rachel Alexandra buzz following her first victory of the year in the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis, Zenyatta is the overwhelming leader in this division with three Grade 1 wins. Even Life At Ten, who won the Grade 1 Phipps the same day Rachel Alexandra won the Fleur de Lis, is ahead of Rachel Alexandra on the depth chart in terms of accomplishment. That should make the rest of the year more interesting because Rachel Alexandra's connections will have to start looking for ambitious spots if they're to pass Life At Ten AND dethrone Zenyatta as reigning champion of this division. St Trinians would obviously enter the conversation if she beats Zenyatta.

Three-year-old male: Lookin At Lucky is the leader with a Grade 2 win to go along with his classic win, but this division is wide open enough for any three-year-old male to claim the leadership position this summer especially since two of the division's Grade 1 winners--Eskendereya and Line of David--are already retired. If none of the classic winners (Drosselmeyer, Lookin At Lucky, & Super Saver) make any noise and no one steps up, expect some Eclipse votes for Eskendereya.

Three-year-old female: This is a great division, and I really hope the top older females have to butt heads with the top three-year-olds. All this talk of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra facing males is fine, but there's still plenty of challenges against their own sex for now, including Blind Luck and Devil May Care. I see the former as the leader of the division off her Kentucky Oaks win, but certainly we'll be hearing from the latter throughout the year, and a win in either the CCA Oaks or Alabama puts her to the head of the class, and winning both might be enough to sew up the title unless Blind Luck beats one of the older female heavies. Throw in Biofuel, Connie and Michael, Evening Jewel, and it's a good group.

Male sprinters: After Majesticperfection crushed Atta Boy Roy on Friday at Prairie Meadows, my prediction a few weeks ago that ABR would win the Breeders' Cup Sprint seemed anachronistic, but there's a ways to go, and it's not like ABR embarrassed himself finishing 6.5 lengths ahead of Cash Refund. Desert Party looked good winning a listed stake on Saturday at Philadelphia Park despite trouble. Custom For Carlos, Bribon, and Musket Man add to the star power. The big question come BC entry time will be which horses go to the sprint and which try the one-turn mile. Also possible for the longer race would be horses like Capt. Candyman Can, Cool Coal Man. Then you have 3YOs such as Comedero, D'Funnybone, Afleet Again, Ibboyee.

Female sprinters: As Chris Hernandez said on Twitter, this is probably the division most likely to produce a three-year-old winner of a Breeders' Cup race with Champagne d'Oro, Amen Hallelujah, and Tanda all very fast. The older division is more of a scrum with defending champion Informed Decision having lost her two starts but two horses who finished ahead of her, Dubai Majesty (second in Madison) and Mona de Momma (winner of Humana Distaff) merit respect in part because of their solid Churchill form.

Male turf: Another division where a champion hasn't shown Grade 1 form yet this year with Gio Ponti disappointing in both stateside turf attempts, but his second in the Manhattan flashed some back class so we probably haven't heard the last from him. Get Serious beat Presious Passion at his own game in the Monmouth, and the United Nations will be a big test for him, and General Quarters has his own big turf tests coming up as he preps for the Arlington Million. From what I've seen so far this year, though, this division is ripe for a foreign-based horse to win a Breeders' Cup race and nab an Eclipse.

Female turf: The favorites for the Grade 1 turf races during the Breeders' Cup program are all female: Goldikova in the Mile, Dar Re Mi in the Turf, and Tuscan Evening in the Filly and Mare Turf. The latter would likely win the Eclipse if she wins out including a Breeders' Cup win, but either Goldikova or Dar Re Mi could usurp her if they win a Breeders' Cup race after beating up on males all year in Europe. Last year's BC F&M Turf winner, Midday, is also still in training.

Horse of the Year: Too early to get too caught up in this because I see about 15 horses having a shot at this title by winning out in Grade 1 races including the Breeders' Cup Classic, but clearly Blame, Quality Road, Rail Trip, Zenyatta, and any of the classic winners this year would be in that mix.

Who'd I miss? This list is rife with names we've all heard. Who are the sleepers?