When last year’s racing season ended with a bang in the form of a Grand Slam win by American Pharoah, the twelfth Triple Crown Winner, racing fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief that the legendary bay colt went out on top of his game, while simultaneously wishing, even if secretly, that we could have witnessed his brilliance for longer than we did.

Lucky for us, while we parted ways with one of our greatest heroes, we also welcomed back the horse that ruled Thoroughbred Racing before American Pharoah was king— California Chrome. The 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner and Horse of the Year, among other titles, was preparing to make his first start of 2016, after a long layoff that kept him out for the majority of his four-year-old season.

He targeted the January ninth San Pasqual Stakes (GII) as his comeback performance, and though fans were eager to see their favorite almost-Triple Crown winner back in action, it was the probable presence of yet another chestnut powerhouse that pulled the racing world to the edge of its seat— the Baffert-trained four-year-old, undefeated in California, nearly seventeen hand freight train of a horse, Dortmund.

There were questions as to whether California Chrome would return a stronger horse than the Chrome we saw in 2015, and to see him face-off with one of the better horses 2015 had to offer, was sure to tell us: 1) How good a five-year-old Chrome was? 2) How good a 4-year-old Dortmund was?

Sadly, just weeks before the San Pasqual field took shape, Dortmund was found to be suffering from a quarter crack, and it was decided that a layoff was necessary. California Chrome swept the San Pasqual, his first win since 2014, with relative ease. It was vindication for “Chromies” everywhere.

As I am certain you know, California Chrome then flew to Dubai, where after training and a successful preparatory race, he won the Dubai World Cup in record time, before flying home to California, where his story began five years ago.

Now, here we are, nearly six months post San Pasqual. California Chrome is training well and pointing to the July 23 San Diego Handicap (GII) as his first race back in the states, and though the race is still weeks away, it is shaping up to be yet another chance to see the powerful, big red horses step into the starting gate together.

Both California Chrome and Dortmund are working to their trainers’ satisfaction, and it is believed that both are probable starters in the Handicap held at Del Mar. It will be interesting to see just how, if both show, the race will unfold. Dortmund is a front-running horse, and is likely to settle ahead of California Chrome early on. Though he has a powerful turn-of-foot, it is largely believed that he will be no match for the 2014 Horse of the Year.

As if the prospect of a California Chrome vs. Dortmund duel is not exciting enough, trainer Doug O’Neill has spoken about the possibility of throwing 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist’s proverbial hat into the ring, as well, though a decision is still being made regarding whether the talented son of Uncle Mo, arguably the best three-year-old colt in the country, will ship East to face his three-year-old foes once more, or stay in California, to challenge the horse which is considered to be the best in the world.

Another horse currently listed as a probable competitor is Firing Line, who finished a valiant second to American Pharoah in last year’s Kentucky Derby. He finished a dismal seventh in the Preakness before experiencing a long layoff. If he, too, joins the San Diego Handicap field, it will serve as the debut for his four-year-old campaign.

Though it is still early to speculate exactly how the race will unfold, as we do not know which other big names it will attract, one thing is for certain: If these four turn up, there is likely to be a fierce battle between heavy-hitters by the eighth pole, and one memorable stretch run we will not soon forget.

If all four show up to Del Mar on July 23, who will your money be on?