Will an American horse go faster than Gun Runner in 2018?

Going on eight months since Gun Runner's career finale in the Pegasus World Cup, it's worth considering: Was that the best performance we'll see from an American horse in 2018?

A new release of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings this week left the reigning champ's 129 rating No. 2 overall and best among runners in the United States. Winx, the Australian mare who hasn't lost in 26 races, remains in the top spot with a 130 rating.

Of course, Gun Runner now stands at stud at Three Chimneys Farm. He won't race again.

But there are at least a couple starts remaining this year for our top horses, namely the Breeders' Cup Classic. Early favorite Accelerate upped his best figure of the year to a 126 last out with a record 12 1/2-length win in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. West Coast, whose 124 for a runner-up in the Pegasus is tied with Justify's Kentucky Derby effort, should run again in the Breeders' Cup Classic, too.

Catholic Boy is just outside the Top 10 given his 122 earned in the most-recent ratings cycle for the Travers Stakes, the same number as Haskell winner Good Magic. Whitney Stakes winner Diversify rates a 120, while Woodward Stakes winner Yoshida didn't register this go-around.

American runners have claimed the last three editions of the World's Best Racehorse award, with American Pharoah (2015) preceding consecutive victories by Arrogate (2016-2017). An International Federation of Horseracing Authorities committee rates horses based on their single best performance for the calendar year to find a winner.