Ranking North America's top 25 runners

While most eyes were on the 3-year-olds the last few weeks, sharp performances by rising stars in the older male division were easily overshadowed.

Michael Stidham's Mystic Guide continued his improving pattern with a dominant score in the Razorback (G3) at Oaklawn on Feb. 27 in his 4-year-old debut.

Richard Baltas' Idol fulfilled his promise with a strong victory over Express Train and Maxfield in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on Mar. 6.

Both runners are still relatively lightly raced and earned Beyer Speed Figures that put them in the mix with many of North America's best. Mystic Guide earned a 107 figure for his effort over a wet Oaklawn surface, while Idol gained a 102.

What makes both horses dangerous going forward is their ability to thrive at the classic distance of 1 1/4 miles.

As talented as Charlatan and Knicks Go are, many believe they are at their best at distances closer to one mile than 1 1/4 miles.

Maxfield stretched out beyond 1 1/16 miles in the Santa Anita Handicap and disappointed while suffering his first career defeat to Idol.

Idol is not as flashy as others, but the more ground the better for the son of Curlin.

Mystic Guide owns a win at 1 1/8 miles, a second at 1 1/4 miles and has a style conducive to longer distances.

John Shirreffs' Express Train gained nothing but admiration for his strong second in the Big 'Cap.

The versatile and rapidly improving son of Union Rags has shown he can compete in both sprints and classic distances effectively.

Mystic Guide, Idol and Express Train have been consistently underrated throughout their careers in HRN's Active Horse Rankings, but fans are no longer sleeping on these legitimate contenders.

The three improving runners, in addition to dominant San Felipe winner Life Is Good, were the biggest movers in the rankings this week.

Express Train has risen to No. 11, two spots ahead of Mystic Guide at No. 13. Idol has improved to No. 22, while Life Is Good moved to No. 29, behind only Essential Quality among 3-year-olds.

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 runners in North America. Click here to see the complete rankings list of active horses.