20 fastest turf performances of 2020 in North America

Photo: Sue Kawczynski / Eclipse Sportswire

Turf races often result in blanket finishes, thus it was no surprise to see a tight race for the fastest turf router of 2020. There were 20 performances within five Beyer Speed Figure points of Factor This' year high 110 that he achieved in the Dinner Party Stakes on Oct. 3 at Pimlico.

It is strange to see that the highest rated turf race all year took place at Pimlico, but an unusual occurrence was nothing new in 2020.

[RELATED: Fastest horses of 2020Fastest sprints of 2020] 

The most consistent turf runner all season was Channel Maker. The Bill Mott gelding was better than he has ever been at the age of seven. He achieved three Beyer Speed Figures of 108, two for wins in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) and the Sword Dancer (G1), and one for his third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).

Breeders' Cup Turf winner Tarnawa had arguably the most visually impressive win of the year. She tied with Factor This for the highest TimeformUS Speed Figure of the year and was one Beyer point behind the Brad Cox runner.

Brisnet Speed Ratings valued Zulu Alpha's victories in the Mac Diarmida and Pegasus World Cup Turf as their top two performance of the year.

Here are the top 20 Beyer Speed Figures of 2020 for turf routes, with each of the horses' Brisnet and Timeform numbers also listed.


HorseRaceDateBeyer BrisnetTimeform
Factor ThisDinner PartyOct. 3110110131
TarnawaBC F&M TurfNov. 7109106131
Channel MakerHirsch Turf Cl.Oct. 3108105130
 Channel Maker BC Turf Nov. 7  108  105  129 
MagicalBC TurfNov. 7108105129
Channel Maker Sword Dancer Aug. 29  108 105 130 
Zulu Alpha Mac Diarmida Feb. 29  107  111  128 
Mo ForzaCity of HopeOct. 3106101123
Admission OfficeMac DiarmidaFeb. 29106109127
Zulu AlphaPegasus TurfJan. 25106111122
Digital AgeTurf ClassicSep. 5105101125
FlaviusTourist MileSep. 7105n/a124
HalladayFourstardaveAug. 22105102127
LaccarioHirsch Turf Cl.Oct. 3105102124
Order of AustraliaBC MileNov. 7105100122
NewspaperofrecordJust a GameJun. 2710596128
Lord NorthBC TurfNov. 7105103127
MogulBC TurfNov. 7105103127
Raging Bull Shoemaker M.May 25  105 99  121 
Somelikeithotbrown Mohawk  Oct. 24 105 102  124 

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