Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist is one of many things to be excited about in coming months. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

American Pharoah stamped his name into the history books this year with a tremendous campaign that included the first Triple Crown victory in 37 years and a Breeders’ Cup Classic romp as his exit into retirement. He won nine of his 11 career starts while traveling to nine different racetracks. He made headlines across the world with his misspelled name and short tail being just a few things that made him unique.

What can we look forward to now that he’s retired?

The road to the 2016 Kentucky Derby has already gotten underway with the recently run Breeders’ Cup Juvenile serving as the race with the most points awarded thus far. Nyquist remained undefeated by capturing the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile for the same connections as the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another. Déja vu anyone?

There was another 2-year-old that got some Kentucky Derby buzz after the Breeders’ Cup, but it wasn’t a colt or a gelding. It was the filly Songbird who also remained unbeaten after capturing the Juvenile Fillies in style. Will she face the boys next year? We’ll have to wait and see.

Speaking of déja vu, remember the story of a 2-year-old California-bred chestnut who was winning Cal-Bred stakes in 2013 before going on to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness? Yes, I'm talking about California Chrome. Well, I have another 2-year-old California-bred chestnut for you that currently has a 5-for-5 record, including four stakes wins, and his name is Smokey Image. Now, he still hasn’t won any graded stakes races or raced beyond seven furlongs but he has impressed me and I’m going to keep my eye on him.

SMOKEY IMAGE (outside) WINNING THE GOLDEN STATE JUVENILE

Photo by Benoit and Associates

There are four more races left this year that will offer points towards the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Each of them will award a 10-4-2-1 points spread to the top four finishers. They are:

The Delta Downs Jackpot at Delta Downs on Nov. 21.

The Remsen at Aqueduct on Nov. 28.

The Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28.

The Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos on Dec. 19.

What about the older horse division?

Beholder: After scratching out of the Breeders’ Cup, it was announced that she will remain in training and prepare for a 2016 campaign.

California Chrome: The 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner is back in training at the barn of Art Sherman at Los Alamitos. Sherman said that we might see him race early next year at Santa Anita with the Dubai World Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic as the major goals.

Shared Belief: The eight-time stakes winner is back in training at the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer at Golden Gate Fields.

Dortmund: The big chestnut colt who began his career 6-for-6 before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and later fourth in the Preakness, made his return to the races a winning one on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita in the Big Bear Stakes.

DORTMUND AFTER WINNING THE BIG BEAR STAKES

Photo by Benoit and Associates

Tepin: The 4-year-old filly who impressively defeated the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Mile will be back in 2016. During the post-race interview, her owner Robert Masterson said he thinks she might have her best year as a 5-year-old. Considering how good she was in 2015, she is one to keep an eye out for.

So there you have it. A few horses to look forward to in the future. It will hard to top what American Pharoah did this year but I think 2016 has plenty of potential to be a good one.