Horses I’m looking forward to in 2025

Patch Adams – I liked everything about the maiden win posted by the Brad Cox trainee in November and consider him to be a massive prospect going forward. This Into Mischief colt dispatched a potentially good field by 10 1/2 lengths while being geared down late in his second showing, and it seems logical to me that he will thrive going long with more experience, as well. 

Citizen Bull – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) star moved up when stretching out in trip and I don’t feel that he is a colt who will have major distance limitations for Baffert. I think that the son of Into Mischief is a genuine colt who will be tough to take down on his best day.  

Sovereignty – Street Sense S. (G3) romper didn’t beat a great cast when graduating at Churchill Downs in his third start, but the Godolphin homebred did it with ease and will only get better with additional seasoning for Bill Mott. 

Journalism – Los Al Futurity S. (G2) hero beat a couple of very nice ones in his first graded tally, and the Curlin colt has earned triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace numbers in each of his two route races to date. The Mike McCarthy pupil is undoubtedly one to watch in a deep group of California-based prospects. 

East Avenue – Grade 1 winner missed the break and never recovered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), but his first pair of outings were superb and I’m not ready to give up on the son of Medaglia d’Oro. The Brendan Walsh pupil has a lot of speed and a bright future. 

Colloquial – The maiden is obviously a flyer with just a second-place run to his credit, but the Vekoma colt impressed me quite a bit in that dash with a huge gallop out, and I am anxiously awaiting his return to the races this winter. This George Weaver charge is long on talent and he could be a major sleeper on the Triple Crown Trail. 

Sierra Leone – Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) star broke through on the biggest stage at Del Mar in November and could reasonably be better as a four-year-old. I’m looking forward to watching the progression of the Gun Runner colt in 2025. 

Locked – 2023 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) victor never made the Triple Crown trail in 2024, but it might have been a blessing in disguise for the chestnut. The Todd Pletcher trainee was excellent in his pair of runs this past season, led by a fine Cigar Mile H. (G2) triumph, and the lightly raced colt will be a major player at four with expected improvement throughout the campaign. 

Johannes – This Tim Yakteen pupil concluded a fantastic 2024 with a measured score in the San Gabriel S. (G2) and will stay in training as a five-year-old. The Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) runner-up will aim to go one better in the same race next campaign. 

She Feels Pretty – Exquisite filly capped 2024 with a pair of sterling Grade 1 wins, dominating in both the Queen Elizabeth II S. (G1) and Keeneland and the American Oaks (G1) at The Great Race Place. The Cherie Devaux trainee has upped her game since adding blinkers and is a joy to watch run. 

Thorpedo Anna – Five-time Grade 1 vixen concluded a sensational 2024 with a facile score in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) for Kenny McPeek. The daughter of Fast Anna just missed against the boys in the Travers S. (G1) in the summer, and I look forward to her confronting her male counterparts again in 2025 for her sporting owners.