Who is Your Horse of the Year?

There has been plenty of controversy over recent Horse of the Year choices. American Pharoah was obvious last year, but in 2014, there were plenty of Bayern backers, despite his spotty form. In 2012 and 2013, many knocked Wise Dan for staying confined to what most believed was a weak turf miler division. Then, of course, was the three year run where Zenyatta was a finalist, but lost the 08’ award to Curlin and the 09’ honor to Rachel Alexandra, before edging out Blame for the award in 2010.

In most of those years, I didn’t believe there was much to debate. While some finalists had very good years, they did not have the credentials to beat the eventual winners often times.

This year, however, the setting is different. All three finalists have exceptional credentials. All three finalists had extraordinary years. All three finalists, can have a solid case made in their favor.

Songbird: The daughter of Medaglia D’Oro decimated all within her division. Kentucky Oaks queen Cathryn Sophia was no problem, and Carnia Mia was hardly a challenge. She ran her heart out against California’s top older mare, Beholder in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI), and lost by a nose bob. Add in dominating victories in the Santa Anita Oaks (GI), Coaching Club American Oaks (GI), Alabama Stakes (GI), and the Cotillion Stakes (GI), and you have a season worthy of the Horse of the Year Title.

The season does lack a win versus open company; however, her narrow loss in the Distaff did little to tarnish her reputation. In finishing second, she still defeated all other leading older females, while only falling on the bad end of the bob at the wire.

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Arrogate: This fleet footed silver freight train lacked a ‘full season,’ but his two big victories could very well be enough to sway enough voters his way.

The son of Unbridled’s Song got a late start, but when he finally did come onto the scene he burst forth like a summer forest fire in California. His first major victory came in the Travers Stakes (GI). While many will point out a severe lack of competition, it can’t be ignored that he beat the top horses in his division by over 13 lengths in track record time.

In that scintillating victory, Arrogate broke from the rail and proceeded to lay down the gauntlet with blistering early fractions, getting his first six furlongs in 1:10 4/5. Despite the daunting pace, set over a tiring Saratoga main course, Arrogate flew home, getting his final quarter mile in :23 4/5 seconds. Not only is that stellar in any two-turn event on dirt, but one held over the Saratoga main track, going 10 furlongs, is practically unheard of.

In his next outing, Arrogate proved that he was the furthest thing from a fluke, winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) over a star studded field that included California Chrome. In that race, instead of attempting to wire his opponents, Arrogate sat as many as three and a half lengths off the pace, only gaining the lead in the final moments of the stretch drive. It took an incredible 24 second flat final quarter to carry Arrogate to victory.

The Juddmonte-owned and Bob Baffert-trained colt may have gotten off to a late start, but the sheer brilliance of his two grade one victories give him a strong case as a Horse of the Year candidate.

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California Chrome: The 2014 Horse of the Year has put together an even stronger season that his championship winning season, just two years ago.

The coppery son of Lucky Pulpit earns his first major victory with a dominant score in the 10 million-dollar Dubai World Cup. Whether you count that, or not, is up to the individual, but it should be noted that when the race is run over dirt, it is common for America to send their top dirt star to contest in the race, as they did in 2016, sending Frosted, Mshawish, and Hoppertunity. California Chrome ran off with that race, despite a badly slipping saddle.

He won his next two grade one wins in the Pacific Classic and Awesome Again Stakes, with the former coming against a field billed as one of the best runnings in the race’s history. The victory represented the first time that stallion had wired a field since the San Felipe Stakes (GII) in 2014.

The only blemish on California Chrome’s otherwise sparkling season was the Breeders’ Cup Classic where he fell to Arrogate. He again attempted to wire the field, and he would have pulled it off, if not for the incredible late surging strides of Arrogate.

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There they are. Three nominees, all worthy in their own way, but only one will win.

Who is your Horse of the Year?