Check out the final rankings of top horses that raced in 2020
Fillies and mares have dominated the top of HRN's rankings over the past month as racing fans patiently waited for a soon-to-be older male to emerge as a leader of the division.
It appears that the wait is over after Charlatan's emphatic win in the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Dec. 26.
No runner has gotten within four lengths of him in four brilliant starts in his young career. Charlatan has proven to be equally effective routing and sprinting, but one would imagine big-money route races, such as the Pegasus World Cup (G1), could be in his future as a 4-year-old.
The successful returns of Charlatan and Grade 1 winner Maxfield give a large boost to an older male division that was hit hard by retirements.
If Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Knicks Go can stretch his speed to 1 1/8 miles effectively in the Pegasus World Cup, and if Grade 1 winners Tiz the Law and Happy Saver build on strong 3-year-old campaigns, then the older-male division could prove more than formidable once again in 2021.
Tacitus and Code of Honor, who are suddenly the veterans of the group, will add depth to the division.
Here are who is rising and who is falling ahead of a new year of racing.
Who is rising
Charlatan — He looked like a freak in his first three starts, but a failed drug test and a trip to the sidelines made many wonder if he would put forth the same type of effort in the Malibu (G1). Winning at seven-furlongs off a layoff while chasing a sub-44-second half-mile is not easy to do, but this colt certainly made it look that way. He will likely stretch back out for his next start and he still has the upside to eventually top anyone on this list. He has reached No. 4 in this week's rankings.
Tax — This 4-year-old gelding was a forgotten horse after taking the 2019 Jim Dandy (G2), but remerged as a potential force for 2021 with a strong win in the Harlan's Holiday. He will have a chance to build on his momentum against a loaded Pegasus World Cup field. He has risen to No. 44 in the ranks.
Sleepy Eyes Todd — The versatile Charles Town Classic (G2) winner has reeled off two impressive wins in a row. He defeated True Timber in the Lafayette and Firenze Fire in the Mr. Prospector (G3). He is up to No. 24 this week and is yet another contender who is likely to start next in the Pegasus.
Who is falling
Nashville — It is far too early to give up on this speedy sprinter, but the glow surrounding him certainly has dimmed a bit. He won his first three starts geared down and many wondered just how impressive he could be when asked for his best. Well, he was asked for his best in the Malibu (G1), and did not respond with much. Getting put away by Charlatan is no disgrace and there could still be Grade 1 sprints with his name on them in the future, but he squandered an opportunity to grab ahold of the sprint division heading into 2021. He dropped to No. 50 in this week's rankings.
Diamond Oops — The dual surface Grade 2 winner was on a roll heading into the Breeders' Cup, but has hit a rough patch recently. He was sixth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and was ninth in the Mr. Prospector. The gelding has fallen to No. 60.
The contender rankings are generated by user and staff ratings for top active horses. If the list is missing a horse you are watching, you may add that horse, rate it and watch it climb the ladder. Click here for more on HRN’s Power Rankings and voting.
Below is a screen shot of the top 15 contenders. Monomoy Girl may have defeated Swiss Skydiver on the track, but the fans still gave the slightest of edges to Swiss Skydiver this week.
Click here to see the complete rankings list of top active horses for 2021.