Latest top 25 rankings feature 7 Pegasus World Cup invitees
HRN's initial active horse rankings of 2021 have been released, and it is clear that the first Grade 1 race of the year, the Pegasus World Cup, will have a large impact on the rankings going forward.
Even with the recent defections of Tiz the Law, Maxfield and Mucho Gusto, seven of the top 25 horses in North America have been invited to the Pegasus World Cup, and all are expected to run.
Impressive Malibu Stakes (G1) winner Charlatan, who is the No. 3 rated horse on HRN and the No. 1 male runner, leads the list of Pegasus probables.
The Bob Baffert trainee has dominated his competition in all four career starts and is likely to be the favorite.
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Knicks Go is right on his heels at No. 5 and will likely be the clear-cut second-choice.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Code of Honor always shows up with an honest performance and is sitting at No. 11 ahead of the $3 million race.
The next set of four horses have very little separating them, which adds depth behind the aforementioned stars.
Cigar Mile (G1) winner True Timber, No. 20, Charles Town Classic (G2) victor Sleepy Eyes Todd, No. 21, Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile runner-up Jesus' Team, No. 23, and dual-surface star Sharp Samurai, No. 24, all have been invited to Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23.
A strong effort in the Pegasus could propel Charlatan or Knicks Go to the No. 1 spot. The top spot currently is claimed by Preakness (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Swiss Skydiver. Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Monomoy Girl is just .07 points back in second.
The Pegasus World Cup will set the tone for the rest of the year in the older male division. Charlatan is the deserving headliner, but he is far from the only star looking to take flight.
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 25 contenders. Click here to see the complete rankings list of top active horses for 2021