Best of American Horse Racing: ZATT’s Rankings

Who has been the best of American racing through the first half of 2016? Below, you will find my opinions on the best of the best. Note that I’ve only included horses that have run this year. While some of these categories are dominated by one or two horses, such as the Older Males, Older Females, 3yo Fillies and Turf Horses, making heads or tails of our sprinters is near impossible. Things are sure to shake out more as we move through the summer, and I look forward to adding 2yo lists in the near future, but for now, these are our best as I see them.

Older Dirt Males

1) California Chrome – Eagerly awaiting the return of the champ, where the turf meets the surf.

2) Frosted – Met Mile performance was as good as any thing I’ve seen yet this century.

3) Melatonin - Big Cap was no fluke for speedy son of Kodiak Kowboy.

4) Hoppertunity – A win machine he is not, but at hitting the board, he is money in the bank.

5) Bradester – I don’t know if the Foster result will hold up, but he’s 2-for-2 with a Grade 1 so far this year.

6) Effinex – His Foster was too bad to be believed.

3yo Males

1) Nyquist – The fast pace, sloppy track, game performance in the Preakness remains his only career loss.

2) Exaggerator – Belmont flop should not take away too much from an excellent season before that.

3) Creator – Arkansas Derby-Belmont Stakes has become a popular double, and this son of Tapit did it exciting style.

4) Gun Runner – Return at Churchill Downs was perfect; a win in the Haskell would move him closer to the top three.

5) Destin – So close to lasting in the 12-furlong Belmont; should be a player at Saratoga.

6) Mohaymen – Another very good horse poised to make some noise this summer at the Spa.

Older Dirt Females

1) Beholder – Has proven to be the same old Queen B; bigger tests to come

2) Cavorting – Ruffian and Phipps combo point her out as tops in the East.

3) Forever Unbridled – With a little more luck last time, she could be one spot higher.

4) Stellar Wind – No shame at all in returning second best to Beholder.

5) Curalina – Had her chance, but she could not repeat her monster win in Kentucky.

6) Sheer Drama – She might need a confidence builder after the last two.

3yo Females

1) Songbird – Waiting for a challenge – she is just too dominant against California three-year-olds

2) Carina Mia – Missed the Kentucky Oaks, but she was more than ready to show her stuff in the Acorn.

3) Cathryn Sophia – Kentucky Oaks winner was not her very best on Acorn day.

4) Catch a Glimpse – Turf filly is a winning machine – even against the boys.

5) Go Maggie Go – Would have liked to see her come from off the pace in the Acorn.

6) Off the Tracks – Proved she belongs with the big girls on the big stage of Belmont Stakes Day.

Turf Horses

1) Tepin –Royal Ascot win showed the world what we already knew – Tepin is a special mare.

2) Flintshire – Unless he regresses, American turf horses cannot handle him.

3) Ironicus – Two excellent performances to begin the year.

4) Wake Forest – I think there will be more of what we saw in the Man O’ War from this guy.

5) Ring Weekend – If he stays healthy, look out for this one.

6) Divisidero – Grade 1 victory at Churchill Downs keeps him on the list.

Sprinters

1) X Y Jet – Was the best the first part of the year, but now he’s on the shelf.

2) Kobe’s Back – Late kick can be devastating at times.

3) Wild Dude – Did in a talented Subtle Indian in the Kona Gold.

4) Subtle Indian – Beaten by the Dude, but did he really need to go so fast early?

5) Tom’s Ready – Kicked it into high gear late in the Woody Stephens.

6) Joking – Continued improvement ultimately led to a big win in the True North.