2024 might have been the Year of the Dragon, but in the land of U.S. Thoroughbred racing, it was the Year of the “Grizzly.”

Reigning Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Idiomatic earned a fees-paid berth back to the Breeders’ Cup when dominating Sunday’s $600,000 Spinster (G1) at Keeneland for the second straight year.

Trainer Chad Brown dealt reigning older female champion Idiomatic a second loss on the season in Friday's $485,000 Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, but not with the filly most expected.

Although the $1 million Haskell (G1) is the only “Win and You’re In” event at Monmouth Park on Saturday, the Jersey Shore’s stakes-laden program figures to have additional Breeders’ Cup implications.

Seven months after losing a stretch battle with Idiomatic by a half-length in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), Randomized got her revenge over the reigning champion older dirt mare in the $500,000 Ogden Phipps (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday.

Reigning champion older mare Idiomatic rolled to her sixth consecutive victory in Friday's $1 million La Troienne (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Racing’s sentimental hero has now become an official champion in the record book, as Cody’s Wish was named Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male at Thursday night’s 53rd Eclipse Awards gala at The Breakers Palm Beach.

Idiomatic capped a a stellar 8-for-9 campaign with a hard fought victory in the $1.82 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday, prevailing by a half-length over stubborn three-year-old rival Randomized.

Idiomatic continued her giant year with a decisive victory in Sunday’s Spinster (G1) at Keeneland, cementing her status as the favorite for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Friday’s Personal Ensign (G1) offered a rematch between champion Nest and Clairiere, but it was the other Curlin filly, up-and-coming Idiomatic, who upstaged them both at Saratoga.