Albert Einstein - 1939
The Dirty Horse Top Honors Review
I needed a photo that conveyed brilliance for this article. What better image could there be other than Albert Einstein?
But the real question is how fast did you glance at Einstein's photo before moving onto the written words?
Can someone please tell me why the most famous genius of the 20th century is sitting on a rock on a beach, cross-legged, wearing women's ankle strap, peep-toe sandals? Did you even notice it?
In other words, it is always important to look at the full picture and not just the surface alone. You simply never know what you're going to find if you take the time to scrutinize a bit deeper. You never know what tiny gems might be hidden that will change your initial perception.
After 5 years with our beloved group here at the Dirty Horse Club, I truly hope that the idea of looking past the printed sheets in order to find those gems of insight have taken a stronghold with your handicapping.
2023 started out looking as bright as could be.
A promising two-year old had just turned three and he was ready to wreak havoc over his Derby Trail opponents, but as usual, that was not to be.
The early talent of Extra Anejo was a dream come true but unfortunately, he had undergone surgery to remove a bone chip in his ankle. Now off the trail, he was never the same from that day forward.
That was the beginning of the end for 2023 and it turned Forte into the magical Pre-Derby superstar. But that wasn't meant to be either, was it?
Turns out, the eventual winner of the Kentucky Derby, Mage, was a complete duplication of 2022's longshot Rich Strike.
Both extremely lucky recipients of an outrageous pace coming from the rear. Both ultimately inferior to the 2nd place runners in their respective years, Epicenter and Two Phil's. Both with a maiden score and holding the roses from their singular win for the entire year. Bah-Humbug.
This leads us to a completely different story overseas.
The 2 year old Vertem Futurity winner had also just turned three and what a magnificent specimen he turned out to be. Not a horse sitting in this 3 year old division in the United States compared to the brilliance of Auguste Rodin.
What he achieved in 2023 sets a new standard for the perfection of training, race placement, discipline, and overall love and regard for the thoroughbred horse. Winner of the Champions Juvenile Stakes, The Vertem Futurity, Betfred Derby, Irish Derby, and the Irish Champion Stakes which culminated in arguably one of the best performances of the year.
Auguste Rodin's 2023 12f Breeders Cup Turf race was the epitome of excellence rolled into one. Masterful training and breeding, superior riding from the jockey, and skillful determination on that track with an over-achieving three year old securing that trophy.
DHC Top Honors for the best 3 year old of 2023.
Auguste Rodin.
Jumping back into that time machine, we can propel back to take a look at the top Trainer and Jockey combo of this past year.
No year-end review in this category would be complete without acknowledgement of trainer Bill Mott with Junior Alvarado when it comes to the successes of Cody's Wish and everything that surrounds the late Cody Dorman.
In addition, the powerful combination of trainer, Richard Dutrow coupled with the expertise of Irad Ortiz Jr demonstrating the complete 180 of Breeder's Cup Classic winner, White Abarrio.
Again, I would have to break loyalty to citizenship and travel overseas for the ultimate Trainer/Jockey combo of 2023.
The list of top-notch wins headed by these two gentlemen stationed across the pond in 2023 is too vast to mention in a single article. What they accomplished together with Order of Australia, Cairo, Broome, Emily Dickenson, River Tiber, Auguste Rodin, Adelaide River, City of Troy, Warm Heart, Bolshoi Ballet, Paddington, Unquestionable, Continuous, Luxembourg - just to name a few - is nothing short of "Einstein- Worthy."
Absolutely brilliant year.
DHC Top Honors for the Best Trainer/Jockey Combo of 2023 reverts overseas again.
Aiden O'Brien and Ryan Moore.
Jumping back aboard our time travel machine to find the Best Horse of the entire year and arguably the Top Performance of 2023 whisks us across a different ocean this time.
There is no doubt that we here in the United States saw quite a few jaw-dropping performances but somehow, they always paled in comparison to what we had in 2022.
After Flightline's retirement to stud, it certainly was apparent that nothing in America could fill his shoes stateside in 2023.
Arcangelo appeared on his way, however, he didn't have his chance to show-off against the best we had to offer in the Breeder's Cup Classic. Even if he did compete and won that trophy, still impossible to compare to the beast from Japan.
The son of Kitasan Black, Equinox, stormed the beaches of Japan with record breaking emphatic wins, all the while holding the Longine's World's Best Title consistently throughout the year. With too many incredibly smashing wins to even mention, his victory in the Sheema Classic in Dubai was arguably the most astounding and breathtaking performance of the year. Bar None.
DHC Top Honors for Best Horse of 2023 goes overseas again.
EQUINOX.
Fasten Your Seatbelts - Ahead to 2024
There are 3 young colts who have not only shown severe power in their performances, but they also show an enormous amount of promise for the 150th year anniversary of the Kentucky Derby.
It is extremely early in the game but these three DHC 5-star rated horses, so far, do deserve mentioning at the close of 2023.
The Good Magic colt trained by Danny Gargan, Dornoch.
The City of Light colt trained by Todd Pletcher, Fierceness.
The Honor Code colt trained by Whitworth Beckman, Honor Marie.
But once again, we'll need a passport to board this Time Machine as we travel into 2024.
The recent success of Justify as a sire with his second crop spike the needle full throttle with City of Troy.
His exquisite breeding has been on full display from that first step in his maiden race to the Superlative Stakes and culminating in his final victory as a 2 year old in the Dewhurst Stakes. This horse demolished three full fields of talent in a way that defies logic.
With a chart that takes no stand with preference to dirt or turf, and with the undeniably successful combination of Aiden O'Brien and Ryan Moore, the grandson of Galileo has no other path in front of him other than becoming the 2024 "Einstein" horse to look forward to.
DHC Top Honors for Most Promising Monster for 2024 lands firmly overseas yet again.
City of Troy.
As we roll into 2024, PACE YOURSELF and ALWAYS STAY AT LEAST 5 LENGTHS AHEAD OF THE CROWD!
To all at the Dirty Horse Club, have a fantastic and memorable NEW YEAR! Let's Roll!
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