The 2024 season for top-level older fillies and mares begins in earnest March 9 with Santa Anita Park's Beholder Mile Stakes (G1).

Grade 1 winner Locked, who entered 2024 as one of the leading prospects for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, is off the Derby trail with a minor ligament injury in his left knee, according to co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed by Marcus Hersh.

The California Horse Racing Board has agreed to pay Mick Ruis $300,000 and direct stewards to disqualify Justify and order a purse redistribution to settle a long-simmering dispute over the outcome of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1) won by Justify.