True Timber rises, but females dominate active horse rankings
True Timber crossed the wire as the older male division's final Grade 1 winner of 2020 in the Cigar Mile.
True Timber is a neat old warrior who will stay in training next year, but the Cigar Mile did not exactly get the heart racing.
Clark winner Bodexpress' sudden retirement and By My Standards' second consecutive poor effort are blows to a division that already was hit hard by retirements.
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The older male division in 2021 hinges on upside and promise, but luckily those should be available in spades.
Tiz the Law, Happy Saver, Charlatan, Maxfield and Nashville all have superstar potential if the chips fall into place.
That is a big if, but the foundation is there for an exciting year. Silver State, Wells Bayou, Shancelot and Independence Hall are a few of the forgotten horses from this year that also could make a large impact in 2021.
The female division for 2021 is rock solid. Monomoy Girl, Swiss Skydiver and Gamine make up three of the top four in this week's Horse Racing Nation Rankings.
It will be exciting to see the continued development of Swiss Skydiver and Gamine, as well as Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil, as they turn 4. Most are hopeful that Monomoy Girl will take on the males at some point this year as she does not have much left to prove against females.
Promising 3-year-olds will have one more opportunity to strut their stuff in the Malibu (G1), La Brea (G1) and American Oaks (G1) and older horses will have their final chance to make a statement in the San Antonio (G2) at Santa Anita Park on Dec. 26, but most active runners will be freshened with their eyes on 2021.
With that in mind, we take a look at who is rising and who is falling ahead of their 2021 campaigns.
Who is rising
True Timber — The 6-year-old has made his way up to No. 32 in the rankings with a win in the Cigar Mile. Another strong performance in the Pegasus World Cup would likely catapult him into the top 15 or higher.
Maxfield — News that the talented but oft-injured colt is close to returning to the races was enough to push him up to no. 22. He has top 10 ability if he can put forth a consistent campaign.
Arklow — He snuck into the top 10 this week after winning the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) to give trainer Brad Cox three of the top 10. He is America's second-highest rated turf horse, behind Channel Maker.
Jesus' Team — He followed a surprising second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile with an expected win in the Claiming Crown Jewel and could be poised for a big 2021, starting with the Pegasus World Cup.
Who is falling
By My Standards — Bret Calhoun's colt had a chance to solidify his standing in the top 10 but fell to No. 13 after a poor performance in the Clark.
Sharing — The classy 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf champion had an opportunity to prove herself against older foes in the Matriarch (G1). She could manage only a fourth-place finish, and it would not be surprising to see her race in California once more in the American Oaks (G1) in her final chance to face 3-year-olds.
Performer —He had a golden opportunity to elevate his status in the Cigar Mile but spun his wheels while running third in the slop. The lightly raced colt will look to rebound on a fast track next time out.
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 10 contenders. Click here to see the complete rankings list of top horses still in training for 2021.