These runners had the highest speed figures of 2021
Knicks Go is widely considered a shoo-in for Horse of the Year honors, and the chart below shows why.
The 5-year-old Brad Cox trainee holds three of the top four spots in the 2021 speed figures for races at a mile or longer provided by Beyer and TimeformUS, including the top figure for both for his win in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3). But only two of his performances made the top five Brisnet Speed Ratings.
Hot Rod Charlie also impressed in his wire-to-wire Pennsylvania Derby (G1) win over Midnight Bourbon.
The No. 1 horse in Brisnet's ratings is Americanrevolution, who earned a 118 rating for his 11 3/4-length win in the Empire Classic in October.
Check back Thursday for a report on the fastest sprinters in 2021.
Here are the top 20 Beyer Speed Figures of 2021 (plus ties), with each of the horses' best Brisnet and Timeform numbers also listed.
| Horse | Race | Distance | Date | Beyer | Brisnet | TimeformUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knicks Go | Cornhusker Handicap | 1 1/8 miles | July 2 | 113 | 113 | 136 |
| Knicks Go | Breeders' Cup Classic | 1 1/4 miles | Nov. 6 | 112 | 111 | 133 |
| Hot Rod Charlie | Pennsylvania Derby | 1 1/8 miles | Sept. 25 | 111 | 110 | 133 |
| Knicks Go | Whitney Stakes | 1 1/8 miles | Aug. 7 | 111 | 107 | 130 |
| Walton Street (GB) | Canadian International | 1 1/2 miles | Sept. 18 | 110 | 107 | 127 |
| Essential Quality | Belmont Stakes | 1 1/2 miles | Jun. 5 | 109 | 111 | 127 |
| Medina Spirit | Breeders' Cup Classic | 1 1/4 miles | Nov. 6 | 109 | 108 | 129 |
| Life Is Good | Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile | 1 mile | Nov. 6 | 109 | 104 | 129 |
| Speaker's Corner | Belmont allowance | 1 1/16 miles | Oct. 29 | 109 | 112 | 125 |
| Americanrevolution | Empire Classic | 1 1/8 miles | Oct. 30 | 108 | 118 | 126 |
| Knicks Go | Pegasus World Cup Invitational | 1 1/8 miles | Jan. 23 | 108 | 109 | 133 |
| Country Grammer | Californian | 1 1/8 miles | April 17 | 108 | 106 | 131 |
| Royal Ship (BRZ) | Californian | 1 1/8 miles | April 17 | 108 | 106 | 131 |
| Essential Quality | Breeders' Cup Classic | 1 1/4 miles | Nov. 6 | 108 | 107 | 129 |
| Royal Ship (BRZ) | Hollywood Gold Cup | 1 1/4 miles | May 31 | 108 | 99 | 129 |
| Mystic Guide | Razorback Handicap | 1 1/16 miles | Feb. 27 | 108 | 104 | 128 |
| Art Collector | Woodward | 1 1/8 miles | Oct. 2 | 107 | 110 | 123 |
| Essential Quality | Travers | 1 1/4 miles | Aug. 28 | 107 | 108 | 122 |
| Medina Spirit | Awesome Again | 1 1/8 miles | Oct. 2 | 107 | 105 | 127 |
| Midnight Bourbon | Pennsylvania Derby | 1 1/8 miles | Sept. 25 | 107 | 108 | 130 |
| Midnight Bourbon | Travers | 1 1/4 miles | Aug. 28 | 107 | 108 | 130 |
| Life Is Good | San Felipe | 1 1/16 miles | March 6 | 107 | 103 | 130 |
| Hot Rod Charlie | Breeders' Cup Classic | 1 1/4 miles | Nov. 6 | 107 | 110 | 128 |