Top 5 Best Horses Right Now By Division 08/07/23: White Abarrio Rises After Whitney Stakes Upset

Each week, we rank the top 5 best thoroughbred horses in America based on their divisions.

Big wins last weekend from White Abarrio and Cogburn were strong cases to take the top spots in their respective divisions, but did either horse succeed? Tell us YOUR rankings in the Comments section!

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Overall Rankings

Here are my overall rankings as seen in the latest NTRA Top 10 Poll this week. The poll ranks the top thoroughbred horses based on if Horse of the Year voting was conducted at this very moment. Here’s what my last Top 10 poll looked like:

1. Elite Power
2. Up to the Mark
3. Cody’s Wish
4. Clairiere
5. Nest
6. Forte
7. Rattle N Roll
8. Gunite
9. White Abarrio
10. Pretty Mischievous

Older Males

1. Up to the Mark – This is one of the best turf horses in the world right now after back-to-back dominant victories in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1) & the Manhattan Stakes (G1).

2. Cody’s Wish – He showed up with a lackluster effort in the Whitney Stakes (G1), but he still is one of the most accomplished horses in the country.

3. Rattle N Roll – He was a tough-luck second in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1).

4. White Abarrio – If he can repeat his Whitney Stakes (G1) performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, then he could very well be the Horse of the Year.

5. West Will Power – An injury forced him to retire, dealing another blow to an already weak older male division.

Sleeper: Smile Happy – He was scheduled to make his next start in the Whitney Stakes (G1) but was forced to miss it due to a minor injury.

Older Females

1. Clairiere – She is still number one for now after 2 Grade 1 victories, but Nest made a big move towards overtaking her when beating her soundly in the Shuvee Stakes (G2).

2. Nest – The beast is back in a big way. She dusted Clairiere in the Shuvee Stakes (G2).

3. Caravel – She lost against the boys at Saratoga in the Troy Stakes (G3), but she is still having an awesome season.

4. Goodnight Olive – She made her way back to the winners circle in the Bed ‘o Roses Stakes (G2).

5. In Italian – She ran well but couldn’t do better than runner-up in the Diana Stakes (G1).

Sleeper: Echo Zulu – She looked great in another big win at Saratoga in the Honorable Miss Stakes (G2).

3-Year-Old Males

1. Forte – He fought hard to pick up a controversial win in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), strengthening his hold on the top ranking.

2. Geaux Rocket Ride – He jumped up the rankings in a big way when winning the Haskell Stakes (G1).

3. Mage – This horse shows up every time and ran well once again in the Haskell Stakes (G1), finishing second.

4. Arcangelo – His rise to stardom has been ultra-impressive, culminating with a win in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

5. National Treasure – His win in the Preakness Stakes (G1) was huge; however, he still has some proving to do.

Sleeper: Arabian Lion – The Sir Barton Stakes winner might be the best horse in the crop; however, he still has to prove that he can beat big-time horses around two turns.

3-Year-Old Females

1. Maple Leaf Mel – She was 1 stride away from defeating multiple Grade 1 winner Pretty Mischievous by 6 lengths before her tragic breakdown.

2. Pretty Mischievous – With 3 straight Grade 1 victories on her resume, this ultra-consistent Brendan Walsh trainee is the clubhouse leader to be named the 3-year-old Filly of the Year.

3. Wet Paint – Her win in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) has her back on track.

4. Hoosier Philly – She returned to form in the Monomoy Girl Stakes and could be a major player in the big races this summer.

5. Defining Purpose – Her Indiana Oaks (G3) victory was impressive as she seems to be improving with each start.

Sleeper: Taxed – She ran well to finish second in the Indiana Oaks (G3) despite a tough trip and set up.

Sprinters

1. Elite Power – He put up an incredible performance in the Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) to narrowly keep his winning streak alive.

2. Gunite – He lost nothing in defeat, losing by a nose in the Vanderbilt Handicap (G1).

3. Skelly – This one is developing nicely for Asmussen & is riding a 5-race win streak.

4. The Chosen Vron – The California-bred defeated open company in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1).

5. Fort Bragg – This horse is turning into a monster one-turn runner; however, Baffert might stretch him out again.

Sleeper: New York Thunder – He jumped onto the scene in a big way with an impressive win in the Amsterdam Stakes (G2).