Going all the way back to 2004, I have annually come up with my list of the Top 10 performances by a Thoroughbred in the United States during the first half of the year for Xpressbet.com.
Starting on New Year’s Day, I keep an eye out for a performance that I consider a possibility to make this Top 10.
A Thoroughbred’s performance can make this list for various reasons, such as:
- A win by a big margin while showing brilliance.
- Recording a fast final time and/or speed figure.
- Being especially game and/or an extraordinary effort in victory or defeat.
- Overcoming adversity.
- Defeating a particularly strong group of opponents.
- Carrying more weight than usual and/or spotting considerable weight.
- Achieving something historic.
The importance of the race itself also plays a role in determining whether or not I believe a performance deserves to make the list.
And now, without further ado, my list of the Top 10 performances by a Thoroughbred in the United States during the first half of 2023 is below:
10. SMILE HAPPY in Churchill Downs’ Grade II Alysheba Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on dirt May 5
Owner: Michael Mackin's Lucky Seven Stable
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Any way you slice it, Smile Happy’s performance was stellar, one that surely brought a smile to his connections.
A pace factor from the outset, Smile Happy won by two lengths in 1:41.29. His performance produced a robust 110 Beyer Speed Figure. He defeated such graded stakes winners as Art Collector, West Will Power, Last Samurai and 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike.
9. CARAVEL in Belmont Park’s Grade I Jaipur Stakes at six furlongs on turf June 10
Owner: Qatar Racing, Marc Detample and Madaket Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Dismissed in the wagering at 42-1, Caravel outran males and won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. It was the biggest upset at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup.
She was a far cry from 42-1 in the Jaipur. She was backed down to 5-2 favoritism. Many public handicappers viewed her as a vulnerable favorite, mainly due to the six-furlong distance of the Jaipur. Her four-race winning streak going into the Jaipur had all been in 5 1/2-furlong grass races, the most significant by far being the BC Turf Sprint.
Caravel had registered a front-running one-length win in Belmont’s six-furlong Intercontinental Stakes in 2022. But that ungraded contest last year was nowhere close to as being as tough as the field assembled for the Jaipur this year. In fact, among Caravel’s Jaipur foes was Casa Creed, winner of the Jaipur in both 2021 and 2022.
In his most recent start before the Jaipur, Casa Creed lost by only a head when second in the Group III, $1.5 million Saudi Turf Sprint on Feb. 25.
Despite the Japipur’s strong competition and six-furlong trip, Caravel got the job done.
Caravel pressed the early pace, led by one length at the eighth pole, had a clear advantage between calls in the last furlong, then held on to prevail by three-quarters of a length. Her final time was a sharp 1:07.93. She recorded a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. Big Invasion finished second at odds of 4-1, while Casa Creed had to settle for third at 7-2.
8. CHEZ PIERRE in Keeneland’s Grade I Maker’s Mark Mile at one mile on turf April 14
Owner: Lael Stables
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Though Chez Pierre ran a disappointing third as the favorite 2-5 favorite in the Grade III Poker Stakes at Belmont Park on June 10, his dominant win in the Maker’s Mark Mile at odds of 9-1 in mid-April shows up on this list at No. 8.
In the eight-horse Maker’s Mark Mile, Chez Pierre stalked the pace set by 14-1 Dr Zempf on the backstretch and far turn. Responding readily to reach the front in upper stretch, Chez Pierre led by two lengths a furlong out. He then increased his advantage to about five lengths with a sixteenth to go before reaching the finish 3 1/2 lengths clear. Modern Games, a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner, ran second as the 2-5 favorite. Up to the Mark finished third, a neck behind Modern Games.
Chez Pierre’s final time was an excellent 1:33.46. He received a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. One reason this performance by Chez Pierre makes this list is the 106 Beyer was the highest figure on turf during the first half of 2023.
Modern Games returned to England and won a Group I race on May 20.
Up to the Mark won twice after the Maker’s Mark Mile. He took the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 6, followed by a victory in the Grade I Manhattan Stakes at Belmont Park on June 10.
But Modern Games and Up to the Mark were no match for Chez Pierre in the Maker’s Mark Mile.
7. ART COLLECTOR in Gulfstream Park’s Grade I Pegasus World Cup at 1 1/8 miles on dirt Jan. 28.
Owner: Bruce Lunsford
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Just off the pace when fourth early in the Pegasus, Art Collector took command coming to the top of the stretch, drew away and won by an emphatic 4 1/2 lengths in 1:49.44. He was credited with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure.
A big reason this performance makes this list is the strength of the field that Art Collector defeated. Consider some of what the vanquished went on to do:
Finish Horse (Subsequent Achievement)
2 Defunded (won Grade II Californian & Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup)
3 Stilleto Boy (won Grade I Santa Anita Handicap)
4 Last Samurai (won Grade III Razorback & Grade III Essex Handicaps)
5 Proxy (won Grade II Oaklawn Handicap)
6 Skippylongstocking (won Grade III Challenger)
6. SOCIETY in Ellis Park’s Grade III Chicago Stakes at seven furlongs on dirt June 24.
Owner: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds
Trainer:Steve Asmussen
Jockey:Tyler Gaffalione
Talk about a roller-coaster Beyer Speed Figure pattern.
After Beyers of 75, 78, 77 and again 77 in her first four career starts, Society recorded a 101 when she won the Grade III Charles Town Oaks by 6 3/4 lengths last Aug. 26. That was followed by a 100 Beyer when she won the Grade I Cotillion Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths at Parx Racing on Sept. 24.
But Society’s next three Beyers dipped to 76, 87 and 74. In those three starts, she finished seventh in the Grade I BC Distaff, third in the Grade I Madison Stakes and ninth in the Grade I La Troienne Stakes.
And then -- bingo! -- triple-digit Society was back in the Chicago Stakes. She ran up the score in the lane to win by 10 3/4 lengths and posted a 105 Beyer Speed Figure. This was the highest Beyer by a filly or mare during the first half of 2023 on dirt or turf.
5. ARABIAN LION in Belmont Park’s Grade I Woody Stephens Stakes at seven furlongs on dirt June 10.
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: John Velazquez
Arabian Lion looked like a future star when he scored a sparkling three-length maiden win at first asking last Oct. 9 at Santa Anita. But he proceeded to lose his next four starts.
In his stakes debut, Arabian Lion was pounded down to 2-5 favoritism in the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity. But he laid an egg. He finished a puzzling fifth, 12 lengths behind the victorious Practical Move.
Arabian Lion then finished last in Santa Anita’s Grade III Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4. The highly regarded son of Triple Crown winner Justify had become a huge disappointment.
A freshened Arabian Lion showed reinvigoration when he finished a strong second to First Mission, a promising sophomore trained by Brad Cox, in Keeneland’s Grade III Lexington Stakes on April 15.
Arabian Lion recorded a 98 Beyer Speed Figure in the Lexington, his best figure to that point. He then reached 103 on the Beyer scale when a four-length winner of Pimlico’s Sir Barton Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on May 20.
And then Arabian Lion received an even bigger Beyer Speed Figure, a 109, when he cut back to seven furlongs in the Woody Stephens, which he won with authority by 3 3/4 lengths as the 2-1 favorite. His final time was 1:21.70. That 109 Beyer was the highest figure by a 3-year-old during the first half of 2023, quite a turnaround for Arabian Lion after he had been such a disappointment late in 2022 and early in 2023.
4. ARCANGELO in Belmont Park’s Grade I Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on dirt June 10.
Owner: Blue Rose Farm (Jon Ebbert)
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Jockey: Javier Castellano
There was a historic aspect to this victory by Arcangelo. When the lightly raced colt won the Belmont Stakes in just his fifth career start, Antonucci became the first female trainer to win any of the Triple Crown races in the more than 100 years that the three events for 3-year-olds have existed.
It took until the 452nd Triple Crown race, as John Cherwa noted for the Los Angeles Times, for Antonucci to break through with a victory in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes.
Using various media guides as sources, I compiled a list of the female trainers who have sent out a horse to finish first, second or third in a Triple Crown race:
Finish Trainer (Horse, Year Triple Crown Race)
1st Jena Antonucci (Arcangelo, 2023 Belmont)
2nd Dianne Carpenter (Kingpost, 1988 Belmont)
2nd Shelley Riley (Casual Lies, 1992 Kentucky Derby)
2nd Nancy Alberts (Magic Weisner, 2002 Preakness)
3rd Shelley Riley (Casual Lies, 1992 Preakness)
3rd Kristin Mulhall (Imperialism, 2004 Kentucky Derby)
3rd Kathy Ritvo (Mucho Macho Man, 2011 Kentucky Derby)
3rd Linda Rice (Max Player, 2020 Belmont)
As I noted in my Belmont Stakes recap for Xpressbet.com, Antonucci’s win as a trainer with Arcangelo came 16 years after Rags to Riches, in an equine exhibition of girl power, became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 102 years when she defeated future Hall of Famer Curlin in a photo finish.
Arcangelo actually has a connection to Rags to Riches. Arcangelo’s dam, the unraced Modeling, is a granddaughter of the terrific broodmare Better Than Honour, who produced back-to-back Belmont Stakes winners Jazil in 2006 and Rags to Riches in 2007.
Antonucci’s Belmont victory with Arcangelo came 30 years after Julie Krone made history by becoming the first -- and still only -- female jockey to win a Triple Crown race. Krone guided Colonial Affair to a 2 1/4-length victory in the 1993 Belmont Stakes.
Antonucci’s momentous Belmont Stakes victory with Arcangelo came 50 years after “Secretariat made Penny Chenery the First Lady of Thoroughbred racing,” as Daily Racing Form’s David Grening put it.
Chenery, known in 1973 as Penny Tweedy, headed the Meadow Stable operation. She made Triple Crown history by becoming the first -- and still only -- female owner-breeder of a Triple Crown winner. Her Secretariat completed his Triple Crown sweep with a stupendous 31-length victory in 2:24, a final time that obliterated Gallant Man’s track record by 2 3/5 seconds.
Arcangelo received a marvelous ride by Hall of Famer Castellano, who was 0 for 14 in the Belmont Stakes coming into this year’s renewal. It’s my view that Arcangelo might not have won the Belmont if not for Castellano’s savvy ground-saving ride.
Arcangelo raced in third early, a length off the pace, while National Treasure and Tapit Shoes were dueling on the front end. A half-mile into the race, National Treasure was leading by one length in :47.69. By this time, Arcangelo had been shuffled back to sixth, but he was only 2 1/2 lengths off the lead.
Midway on the far turn, National Treasure still was in front by a length or so. But racing right behind him were Tapit Trice (four wide), Angel of Empire (three wide), Hit Show (two wide) and Arcangelo (on the inside of the four-horse spread). At this point, 2-1 favorite Forte was sixth, some six lengths off the pace, and appeared to be struggling.
Turning for home, Arcangelo advanced willingly along the rail to engage National Treasure for the lead. This was a key point in the race, because while Arcangelo was saving ground, Tapit Trice was racing wide and Forte even wider.
National Treasure and Arcangelo were battling for command coming to the top of the stretch. Arcangelo then bounded well clear in upper stretch. After passing the furlong marker with a 3 1/2-length lead, Arcangelo went on to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths while completing his 1 1/2-mile journey in 2:29.23. Forte, the 2-1 favorite trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, nosed out the fellow Pletcher-trained Tapit Trice, off at 5-1, for second place in the field of nine.
Arcangelo became the first classic winner for his late sire, Arrogate, the Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old male of 2016 who was elected to the Hall of Fame this year in his first year of eligibility.
In June 2020, Arrogate died after developing an illness that led to neurological symptoms. Arcangelo is from the second of what will be Arrogate’s only three crops.
For Xpressbet.com, I ranked Arrogate’s win in the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga as the top 2016 performance by a Thoroughbred in the United States. I characterized Arrogate’s victory in the 1 1/4-mile Travers as being a Secretariat-like performance. He won by 13 1/2 lengths in the track-record time of 1:59.36, a sensational effort that produced a whopping 122 Beyer.
How great was Arrogate’s Travers? He is the only horse to break 2:00 in a 1 1/4-mile race at Saratoga since racing began there in the 1860s.
3. MAGE in Churchill Downs’ Grade I Kentucky Derby at 1 1/4 miles on dirt May 6.
Owner: OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano
As far back as 16th early in the field of 18, Mage generated a rally that resulted in a one-length victory at odds of 15-1. He completed his 1 1/4-mile trip in 2:01.57.
Mage thumbed his nose at the so-called Apollo jinx, just as Justify did in 2018.
Apollo won the 1882 Kentucky Derby without having raced as a 2-year-old. This feat would not be duplicated for 136 years until Justify came along in 2018. And now Mage also has done it.
While there have been 13 winners of the Triple Crown, Mage is just one of three members in the very small club that consists of Kentucky Derby winners who didn’t start at 2.
Mage also became a member in another small club consisting of Kentucky Derby winners from 1900 through 2023 to have made three or fewer previous career starts. The only four to have achieved this are Regret in 1915, Big Brown in 2008, Justify in 2018 and now Mage in 2023.
How about the fact that two of the four most inexperienced Kentucky Derby winners in over a century are Big Brown and Mage? Big Brown is the maternal grandsire of Mage.
Mage’s sire, Good Magic, finished second to Justify in the 2018 Kentucky Derby.
Graded stakes races were introduced in the United States in 1973. During all this time, Mage is only the sixth horse to capture the Kentucky Derby without having previously won a graded race. The others were Ferdinand in 1986, Alysheba in 1987, Funny Cide in 2003, Giacomo in 2005 and Rich Strike in 2022. Alysheba in 1987 did finish first in the Blue Grass, only to be disqualified and placed third.
Many were happy to see Castellano get the monkey off his back by finally winning the Kentucky Derby. The Hall of Famer had been 0-15 in the Run for the Roses prior to this year.
Castellano would go on to win the Belmont Stakes aboard Arcangelo. The native of Venezuela thus became the first jockey to win Triple Crown races in the same year with different horses since Calvin Borel did it in 2009. Borel won the Kentucky Derby that year on Mine That Bird, then captured the Preakness aboard Rachel Alexandra. Mine That Bird, ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, finished second in the Preakness.
2. CODY’S WISH in the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes at seven furlongs on dirt May 6.
Owner: Godolphin & Dream Team One Racing
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
While horse racing has been experiencing rather turbulent times, the story of Cody’s Wish has been a welcomed elixir.
BloodHorse’s Byron King wrote this of Cody’s Wish following his narrow victory in the Grade I BC Dirt Mile last year: “In the feel-good story of the Breeders’ Cup, the 4-year-old Curlin colt -- named after Cody Dorman, a teenager who has a rare genetic disorder known as Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome -- won before his namesake by grittily outfinishing Cyberknife by a head.”
In the Churchill Downs Stakes, Cody’s Wish was making his first start since the Breeders’ Cup. Trailing early in the field of nine, he charged to the fore approaching the eighth pole, then kicked away to win for fun by 4 3/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. His final time was 1:21.17, which graded out to a 105 Beyer.
1. CODY’S WISH in Belmont Park’s Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at one mile on dirt June 10.
Owner: Godolphin & Dream Team One Racing Stable
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
It says a lot for Cody’s Wish that he has the No. 1 and No. 2 top performances in the United States during the first half of 2023.
The last time the same horse had both the No. 1 and No. 2 performances during the first half of a year was when Triple Crown winner Justify ranked 1-2-3 halfway through 2018. His Kentucky Derby was No. 1, his Belmont was No. 2 and his Preakness was No. 3.
This marks the second straight year in which the Met Mile has produced the No. 1 performance during the first half of the year. Last year’s No. 1 performance was turned in by the great Flightline, who overcame early adversity to win the 2022 Met Mile on June 11 by six lengths in 1:33.59 while making his first start since Dec. 26.
The 2023 Met Mile win by Cody’s Wish was a tour de force. Eighth early in the field of nine, he swept past rivals while extremely wide on the far turn to reach the front turning for home. Opening up a four-length lead in upper stretch, he went on to win by 3 1/2 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. His final time was 1:34.36. He recorded a 112 Beyer Speed Figure while extending his winning streak to six.
An especially strong group came together in this year’s Met Mile. Among the winner’s victims were Grade I winners Zandon, White Abarrio, Dr. Schivel and Doppelganger, along with multiple Grade II winner Slow Down Andy and Grade III winners Charge It and Repo Rocks.
Cody’s Wish certainly was the top Thoroughbred for the first half of 2023. This is reflected by the fact that he topped the latest NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. The Top 10 of this week’s poll is listed below:
Rank Points Horse (First-Place Votes)
1. 296 Cody’s Wish (26)
2. 256 Elite Power (4)
3. 195 Clairiere
4. 158 West Will Power
5. 139 In Italian
5. 139 Up to the Mark
7. 123 Defunded
8. 111 Caravel
9. 48 Art Collector
10. 42 Goodnight Olive
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