With just a few days left in 2016, it’s time to focus on 2017. The dawn of a new year in horse racing always starts with the Kentucky Derby trail, and this year will be no different. However, the older male and female division could be strong this season.
Superstars Arrogate and Songbird are on target to return in 2017 which is the first bit of good news. These soon to be 4-year-olds could be the center piece of the racing season. It’s hard to imagine Arrogate having much competition considering the unbelievable performances we’ve seen from him, but Gun Runner and Connect will give it a shot. On the female side Songbird is definitely the stand out, but Stellar Wind will look to be a major rival for her this season.
With that being said, when January rolls around the newly turned 3-year-olds will take center stage. The Kentucky Derby trail at this time has two headliners in Classic Empire and Mastery. Classic Empire looks to be head and shoulders above everyone based on speed figures, but Mastery has Bob Baffert on his side and is a Grade 1 winner without showing us his best stuff yet. On the filly side, Shane’s Girlfriend looks to be the most established threat, but youngsters Unique Bella and Elate are maiden winners that have a big time future.
Hype is what the game is built on, and really what makes it great. You better believe we are ready for 2017! Today I’m hyping 100 horses for 2017. It’s never too early to look ahead! Whether you use this list for your fantasy horse racing drafts or just want to get excited and get a head start on the new year, here is a ranking of the Top 100 horses that I believe will make a big impact in 2017.
1. Arrogate
2. Songbird
3. Classic Empire
4. Mastery
5. Tepin
6. Stellar Wind
7. Lady Eli
8. Practical Joke
9. Shane’s Girlfriend
10. Beach Bum
11. Dortmund
12. Gun Runner
13. Unique Bella
14. Connect
15. McCracken
16. Drefong
17. Miss Temple City
18. Oscar Performance
19. Elate
20. Hoppertunity
21. Keen Ice
22. Forever Unbridled
23. Valadorna
24. Gunnevera
25. Mo Town
26. New Money Honey
27. Good Samaritan
28. Vale Dori
29. Lewis Bay
30. Time and Motion
31. I’m a Chatterbox
32. Shaman Ghost
33. American Anthem
34. Fact Finding
35. Lookin At Lee
36. Catch a Glimpse
37. Wild Shot
38. Three Rules
39. Totality
40. Takaful
41. Untapped
42. Syndergaard
43. Theory
44. Tom’s Ready
45. Abel Tasman
46. Ashleyluvssugar
47. Midnight Storm
48. Camelot Kitten
49. Gormley
50. American Gal
51. Divining Rod
52. Avenge
53. Champagne Room
54. Ticonderoga
55. No Dozing
56. Annals of Time
57. Ring Weekend
58. Obviously
59. Stanford
60. Beach Patrol
61. Mind Your Biscuits
62. Om
63. Miss Sky Warrior
64. Hot Sean
65. Vyjack
66. Klimt
67. Jamyson n’ Ginger
68. Constellation
69. Harmonize
70. Sharp Azteca
71. Royal Copy
72. Proforma
73. Uncontested
74. Hawksmoor
75. Finest City
76. La Coronel
77. Lull
78. Texas Ryno
79. Warrior’s Club
80. Coasted
81. Sticksstatelydude
82. Eskenformoney
83. Neolithic
84. Running Mate
85. Dabster
86. Royal Mo
87. Streamline
88. Economic Model
89. Threefiveindia
90. Texas Chrome
91. Ten Blessings
92. Awesome Banner
93. Enola Gray
94. Finely’sluckycharm
95. Frank Conversation
96. Curlin’s Approval
97. War Story
98. Dearest
99. Genre
100. Mor Spirit
