HRN Favorites: Our writers' top 10 races in 2017

They didn’t have to feature a photo finish, a sweeping move to the front or high stakes. Instead, this group of favorite races from 2017 — compiled by Horse Racing Nation’s community of contributors — is made up of those races that just make you feel something.

Have a favorite of your own that didn’t make the list? Add it in the comments.

Jeffrey Byrnes — Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

A race that will stick with me for many years to come will be the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. This race is special to me because of not only the horse who won, but also the horse that finished second. Good Magic and Solomini share a special bond, as they are sired by the same horse, Curlin. When Good Magic crossed the line, I saw my all-time favorite become a Breeders’ Cup-winning sire for the first time. Seeing Curlin's progeny run 1-2 in a Breeders Cup race is something truly special. What added to the special moment was jockey Jose Ortiz on a hot mic giving praise and pats on the back to Good Magic. Jose's love for this sport and the horses he rides made this race even more special. From seeing Curlin get his first Breeders Cup winner to Jose Ortiz's hot mic moment, the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is my favorite race of 2017. 

Nick Costa — Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

The champion filly, Enable, displayed amazing talent and ability to be competitive with and beat quality horses with devastating ease at the upper echelon all year, but her scintillating score in the prestigious 1 1/2-mile Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, arguably the world’s greatest horse race, over soft ground at Chantilly Racecourse in October was one for the ages, and it’s my HRN Race of the Year. In her final start of the season, Enable was off to a good beginning under jockey Frankie Dettori, who was seeking an unprecedented fifth Arc victory. The pair were always well positioned throughout the affair. Inside the final two furlongs, the top class daughter of Nathaniel proved too good for the field and best of her generation. In dramatic style, Enable blew the race open with a powerful display of acceleration, and in rapier-like fashion, bid adieu to her 17 rivals. At the finish line, she had secured her greatest win by 2 1/2-lengths, became the first ever British-bred 3-year old filly to capture the European classic and galloped into Arc pantheon.

Candice Curtis — Hong Kong Vase

Highland Reel, trainer Aiden O'Brien's globe-trotting son of Galileo, closed out his cosmopolitan career with an all-heart, grit-and-grind victory over a full field of international stars, shining brightest on the other side of the world.

Mary Dixon Reynolds — Whitney Stakes

The “Graveyard of Champions” did not live up to its reputation Aug. 5 as Gun Runner, the dazzling son of Candy Ride, vanquished his competition in a spectacular performance in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. When the chestnut victor went to the winner’s circle, a horseshoe (that had been thrown by Cautious Giant during the race) could be seen hanging from Gun Runner’s tail. The shoe was initially discarded, but once the winner’s connections realized the rarity of such an occurrence, Steve Asmussen’s assistant trainer, Scott Blasi, retrieved the shoe from a fan, paying him $100 for it. The horseshoe now resides in the Asmussen home in a shadow box. Asmussen said afterward, “My kids said that they literally have a rabbit’s foot since it came off the horse that was the rabbit.”

Jarrod Horak — San Diego Handicap

The San Diego Handicap at Del Mar was my favorite race of 2017. In a stunning result, Accelerate ($17.60 to win, $32.60 to place, $22 to show) went straight to the front and ran away from Donworth ($119.80 to place, $67.40 to show) and Cat Burglar ($38.20 to show). The win was not as much of a shock as the non-effort of seemingly invincible, 1-20 favorite Arrogate. The latter had reeled off consecutive grade one victories in the 2016 Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic, and the 2017 Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup. On paper, the San Diego looked like a foregone conclusion, but after Arrogate's dud, the place and show payoffs went through the roof, and the handicap division was turned upside down.   

Casey Laughter — Ohio Derby

The 2017 Ohio Derby was a first for me. My fiance and I drove up for a day in Cleveland to see a well-put together Ohio Derby starring Girvin and Irap, who were the two horses I wanted to see. I was not a fan of Irap before this race, but then something happened. He waltzed into that paddock, prancing and tossing his head, and I realized he was going to win the race. He was massive and had grown so much since the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland earlier in the year. The battle between Girvin and Irap was my favorite of the year. Neither horse was giving an inch, and it came to a photo finish. I got to experience not only an awesome track I had never been to, but I got to see probably my favorite race of the year in person. I think the Ohio Derby was the actual debut party for what Irap could become, and sadly, we lost him this year. Irap and Girvin are champions in my mind, and I hope to return to the Ohio Derby in 2018 for another exciting edition.

Averie Levanti — Breeders’ Cup Classic

My favorite race of 2017 was none other than the Breeders’ Cup Classic. As a longtime fan of Gun Runner, I was most looking forward to what he had to offer in 2017. I always knew he had the potential to be a fantastic horse, and I wanted nothing more than him to prove to everyone just how great he could be, but the flocks of doubters persisted up to the Breeders’ Cup. I have to say, there is no greater feeling than watching your favorite horse from the start of the year clinch his unexpected Horse of the Year season in the Breeders’ Cup. Through blistering fractions, and against a bias unfriendly to speed, Gun Runner was the only Breeders’ Cup winner this year wire the field, and there was no single moment more gratifying. 

Jonathan Lintner — Kentucky Derby

I was still a few months away from becoming Horse Racing Nation’s new editor and, for the first time since I’d graduated from college, didn’t have to work the Derby. Having done some prep work for NBC’s telecast, however, I had a credential and run of the place at Churchill Downs. No, I didn’t pick Always Dreaming (went a bit overboard compensating for a wet track on my tickets). But I still broke even on the day, minus a few mint juleps, and found an empty second floor box overlooking the finish line for the Derby. That’s one to remember.

Olivia Newman — Woodward Stakes

My favorite race of the year was Gun Runner’s Woodward at Saratoga. His dominating win by 10 lengths brought chills to everyone around us. I knew then I had witnessed the Horse of the year. 

Christine Oser — Travers Stakes

My favorite race from 2017 has to be the Travers Stakes. It was my first trip to Saratoga, and the Travers marked my last full day in the racing town. West Coast also put in a fantastic performance, highlighted by several other Grade 1 races that day.