Photo:

Jason Moran / Eclipse Sportswire

When sophomores Sierra Leone, Fierceness, and Forever Young ran 1-2-3 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, it was further proof that the older male dirt division simply was not up to snuff in 2024. Of the 10 older males in the race, only a fourth-place finish by Newgate could be generously called competitive.

Not only did the more experienced set not show up in America’s richest race, but they were decidedly mediocre throughout the entire racing year. Thankfully, many of the best 3-year-old males plan to return to the races in 2025. Led by the top three from the Classic as well as Mystik Dan and Mindframe, the older male division should be substantially improved next year.

As for the 2024 group, the division has been so ineffectual that it’s hard to imagine even one of them deserving of an Eclipse Award. But like it or not, one horse has to win.

Although the upcoming Clark at Churchill Downs and Cigar Mile at Aqueduct have slipped to Grade 2 status in recent years, perhaps we are one impressive win away from a late season swoop-in to steal the award. Who they would be stealing it from, I do not know.

As of now, voters are looking at only one horse with more than a single Grade 1 victory this year. That honor belongs to National Treasure. His wins came in the Pegasus World Cup in January and Met Mile in June. In between those two came a fourth in the Saudi Cup. In the second half of the season he hasn’t won, finishing sixth in the Whitney (G1) and second to Subsanador in the California Crown (G1).

Speaking of Subsanador, perhaps he finished his season the best of the bunch with wins in the Iselin (G3) and the California Crown. With only two victories in four starts overall, however, he might lack the meat to become a champion. It would have been different if had been able to hold on to the win in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in March, but Newgate edged him late.

Newgate does have that Big Cap win, but that’s his only victory in six starts this year. He ran well in both the California Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic, but championships are not won by running third and fourth.

Full Serrano has run only three races in the U.S., and they are all good. He also gets a boost for his strong Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile win, but the Argentine has only one stakes win. In his previous two starts he won an allowance race before yielding late to Mixto in the Pacific Classic (G1). Could the import for trainer John Sadler be a candidate to chase a championship in the Clark or Cigar Mile?

Like Whitney winner Arthur’s Ride and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Highland Falls, Mixto has that one important Grade 1 victory, but none of the three has much else to their 2024 credentials and they all finished well back last week to Sierra Leone, as did Pyrenees.

But they all finished ahead of Next, who turned in a miserable run in the Classic. While his 14th and last finish was highly disappointing, he does have four overpowering wins this year on his past performances. All came going a long distance where there are no Grade 1 opportunities. Had he done better in the Classic, those races would have looked more attractive to voters, but his dull effort in the big one points out the lack of quality in what he had faced in his wins.

Señor Buscador deserves a mention having won the Saudi Cup (G1), along with a second in the Pegasus and a third in the Dubai World Cup (G1), all early in the season. Unfortunately, he came back with three out-of-the-money performances since coming back in the summer, including a fifth in the Classic.

Who else? Kingsbarns made a splash with an impressive win in the Stephen Foster (G1) and has three wins and one second in four starts this year. His other two wins came in the Ben Ali (G3) and an allowance. Having retired early and with no races in the second half, his resume looks light for a championship. But this year, who knows? 

Hit Show is on a bit of a streak, but each of his three graded-stakes wins have come against lesser. Maybe a win in the Clark would put him in the picture.

Finally, what about the most consistent older dirt male of all from start to finish in 2024? I honestly cannot see Post Time getting the award, but the 4-year-old son of Frosted danced most every dance and put together a solid 8: 4-3-1 mark. His strong late run was only second best to Full Serrano in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

In conclusion, I have no idea who deserves the older dirt male championship in 2024. We can only hope the Clark or the Cigar Mile gives us more answers, but knowing this group, it’s not likely.