Many, many thanks to the dozens of people who submitted nominations. Without them, I surely would have missed several of these all-time greats.
Here we go ...
ALSO CONSIDERED/NOMINATED
(If you are at all interested in the history of the SIM and some of its greatest runners, check these guys out. They might not have made my capsules cut -- and perhaps a few of them should have -- but they're still pretty amazing runners in their own right and I would personally be thrilled to even have one horse as good as any of them in my career.)
A Bird Named Ben
A Bus
Acapulco
Acappella
Ad Infinitum
Ain't Beaten Yet
Allvar
Always
Ancestral Dreams
Bad Endings
Battle Cry
Beatofmyheart
Benjamin Franklin
Big Fish
Birthday Candles
Black Comet
Black Hennessey
Black Lighting Bug
Blame Canada
Boldness
Boogie Shoes
Born Wild
Borrowed Omen
Braveheart
Broadchurch
Burning Beast
Cannot Be Apart
Can't Live in Fear
Captain Hammer
Chart
Cherish
Chickadee
Chinese Bandit
Chocopologie
Cinematic
Clearly Best
Clockwork
Close to the Best
Closet Monster
Comestoanend
Courageously
Cowboy Mac
Cryosphere
Dark Shadows
Decency
Deep Dark Secret
Deep Sleep
Delorean
Demineralization
Derby Dancer
Dreams in Flames
D's Hercules
Duskinthemeadow
Ease
Eastern Westside
Electric Blue
Era
Eternal Quest
Everest
Excellent Meeting
Extreme Precision
Fargo
Favorite Trick
Feat
Fireproof
Florida Keys
Franklin
Future Hero
Game of Skill
Gather Courage
Gaze Unwavering
Genuine Socks
Ghazi's Dream
Glory
God Save Ireland
Gotham City
Gryffindor
Halliday
Havoli Makahikihou
Hemi Cuda
Here Indeed
Iron City
Iron Curtain
Itoko
Ivory Crown
Just Victory
Kaos
Keepmeinthedark
Keys to the City
King and Lionheart
Kismet
Knope
Known for Miracles
Legend
Let It Go
Like Celebrities
Loki Reflecton
Look Danger
Lookit
Lucrezia Borgia
Lying
Magical Trevor
Marquee
Maryland Million
Meditation
Mickey
Mischief Maker
Monaachi
Napa Rose
New Year's Present
Nitrofreeze
Offshore Excursion
Our Very Last Kiss
Paint The Night
Palpitations
Perfect Night
Philosophy
Piece of the Dream
Pillar of Strength
Piper's Pit
Poisoned Apple
Pop Idol
Pursuit
Queen of Atlantis
Quidditch
Raging Fire
Rambling
Reverend Jamison
Riddle Me This
Ridgewood
Right Hand Man
Royal Centurion
Seraph
Serena Sleet
Shalom
Sherwood
Show Me That Smile
Shrouded In Myst
Sia
Side By Side
Silence Has Fallen
Sockie
Something Wild
Soniat
Sound of the Storm
Spark
Star Indeed
Star Studded
Stars Themselves
Stop and Stare
Suchanobsession
Sword Bearer
Temple
The Black Glove
The Conformist
The Tear Slayer
Tickle
Time Limit
Titanic
Trafalgar
Tulloch
Valentine
Vernacular
Voldemort
Wait a Minute
Walnut Belle
Westpoint
White Lightning
Whiteflagfinish
Wish Upon A Star
Wonder
You Are Not Alone
Ziva
Zombie Fish
(Runners who remained active into Year 50 were not considered -- but I felt like at least nodding a head at those who had my attention in case they had ...)
Admire My Heart
Cat Named Boots
Cathay Williams
Curse of the Sun
Every Little Helps
Gunmetal Grey
Jacques
Night's Quiet
Spiritus Invictus
Summerland
Velocity
What a Feeling
**************************************
HONORABLE MENTION
A ZOMBIE I AM
Owner: Benny James
Breeder: Alexandra Jaysman (!!!)
Type: All-Weather sprinter filly
Years active: 39-40
Record: 13: 12-0-0
Earnings: $952,750
Grade 1 wins: 4
Marquee victories: Year 39 Steward's Cup Synthetic Fillies Dash, Year 40 Steward's Cup Synthetic Speed
Awards: Y40-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Female, Y40-All Weather Champion Sprinter, Y39-All Weather Champion Two Year Old Female
Records: All-Weather 6 furlongs (1:11.00)
Notes: This gal ran fourth in her debut, then never lost again. Worked through maiden, NW2 and NW3 wins before closing Year 39 with three stakes victories (two Game Point Sired Stakes and the SC Synthetic Fillies Dash) by a combined 15 lengths, setting the 6-furlong world record in the first GPS race. At 3, she went 6-for-6 and was largely unchallenged until holding off Dreams of Belle in the SC Synthetic Speed. She also won Grade 1 titles in the Chocopologie Sprint and Artificial Dash.
ADJUST THE LENS
Owner: Jonathan Pac
Breeder: Bob Oliva
Type: Dirt and Turf sprinter male
Years active: 15-18
Record: 17: 12-3-2
Earnings: $3,596,000
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 17 Steward's Cup Turf Sprint ($2M)
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y17-North American Champion Sprinter.
Notes: Never ran in anything but stakes races, and earned at least $25,000 in every race he ran. Stayed on the dirt from his juvenile debut until midway through his 4-year-old season, then switched to the turf (with the exception of one dirt race) and was even better. Compiled a 10: 6-2-2 record on dirt with Grade 1 titles in the King's Bishop Stakes, Vosburgh Stakes and Malibu Stakes as a 3-year-old. Finished 7: 6-1-0 on the turf with Grade 1 titles in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (besting Whileaworldsleeps by three lengths) and the SC Turf Sprint at age 4 (topping Right Hand Man by three lengths), and a repeat victory in the Golden Jubilee at 5 before running second in the Year 18 SC Turf Sprint.
AIR BOURNE
Owner: Jamie Bates/Ricky Stamm
Breeder: The Steward
Type: All-Weather sprinter colt
Years active: 46-49
Record: 24: 16-3-5
Earnings: $1,869,500
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 46 Steward's Cup Synthetic Dash, Year 47 Steward's Cup Synthetic Sprint, Year 48 Steward's Cup Synthetic Sprint (dead heat with Stride Through Air)
Awards: Y48-All Weather Champion Older Male, Y48-All Weather Champion Sprinter, Y47-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Male, Y46-All Weather Champion Two Year Old Male
Records: All-Weather 4 1/2 furlongs (54.53), All-Weather 6 1/2 furlongs (1:15.53)
Notes: Went 6-for-6 as a juvenile, debuting by setting the 4 1/2-furlong record time in an MSW and adding four listed stakes victories before a decisive triumph in the SC Synthetic Dash. Won his first two starts at 3 to set up a showdown against older superstar Hooray in the Grade 2 Gryffin Stakes, and beat him by a neck. Hooray got his revenge as Air Bourne settled for third next out in the Grade 1 Artificial Sprint, but Air Bourne won his final two starts of Year 47, edging Hooray by a nose to take the SC Synthetic Sprint and end Hooray's two-year reign. Won his first two starts at 4, including the Grade 1 Formidable Fa-ger Sprint, before Stride Through Air beat him in the Artificial Sprint and Grade 2. They battled again in the SC Synthetic Sprint and tied in a dead heat, both setting a 6 1/2-furlong world record. Opened Year 49 with a third-place dud as Stride Through Air won the Grade 3 Poly Dash Stakes, but rebounded to repeat impressively in the Formidable Fa-ger, with Stride Through Air third. The second half of the year was unkind, as he ran second in the Grade 2 Gryffin Stakes, third in the Grade 1 Artificial Sprint, third in the Grade 2 All Weather Prince and third in the SC Synthetic Sprint.
ALL OF TIME
Owner: Danny Derby
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Dirt miler/router colt
Years active: 44-46
Record: 17: 10-6-0
Earnings: $4,582,500
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 44 Steward's Cup Futurity ($1M), Year 45 Steward's Cup Dirt Mile ($2M), Year 46 Desert Mile ($2M).
Awards: None.
Records: Dirt 1 mile (1:33.37).
Notes: This speed demon ran three 100 speed figures (including his world-record run in the Year 45 SC Dirt Mile) and averaged a 94.5 in his eight miler starts, winning six of them. His two losses were by a neck to Consecration in the Year 46 Pegasus Dirt Mile and by a head to Doctor Who in the Year 46 SC Dirt Mile. He got the best of both of them at other times, edging Doctor Who by a nose in the Year 46 Desert Mile and by a neck in the Year 46 Spa Classic (a 9-furlong short route in which he posted one of his 100s), and beating Consecration by a whopping 4 1/2 lengths in the Year 44 SC Futurity. Though best at a mile, he wasn't bad in routes, either, going 9: 4-4-0 with the only dud a 12th-place finish in the Year 45 Louisville Derby (his only attempt at 10 furlongs or longer). He beat Allonsy by a neck and Tripping Billies by another nose in a thrilling 9-furlong Grade 1 Louisville Classic in Year 46 with another of his 100s. Just missed the 50 for 50.
ALL TOO REAL
Owner: Eugene Ferguson
Breeder: The Steward
Type: All-Weather sprinter colt
Years active: 42-45
Record: 21: 16-2-0
Earnings: $1,950,500
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 42 Steward's Cup Synthetic Dash, Year 43 Steward's Cup Synthetic Sprint, Year 44 Steward's Cup Synthetic Sprint.
Awards: Y44-All Weather Champion Sprinter, Y43-All Weather Horse of the Year, Y43-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Male, Y43-All Weather Champion Sprinter, Y42-All Weather Champion Two Year Old Male.
Records: All-Weather 5 1/2 furlongs (1:05.83).
Notes: There are not that many three-time Steward's Cup thoroughbred champions in SIM history. For three years, this guy mostly dominated the synthetic sprint scene. Sure, he threw a handful of duds (the Grade 1 Formidable Fa-ger Sprint particularly had his number, but he did win it in Year 43, and by Year 45 he was past his prime). Far more often he was the class of the division. He won his first 10 starts, going 7-for-7 as a juvenile without getting seriously challenged (all wins by at least one length) and setting the 5 1/2-furlong world record in the SC Synthetic Dash. Afoolandhispower ended All Too Real's streak in the Grade 1 Artificial Sprint in Year 43, after which All Too Real won his next three, including that year's SC Synthetic Sprint. He was beatable in Year 44 but still rose to the occasion twice, taking the Artificial Sprint and pulling a bit of a stunner to repeat in the SC Synthetic Sprint and make it 3-for-3 in SC races. Ghost in the Radio and Zombies Invade also had standout careers during this time, but they didn't shine quite as bright as All Too Real, who beat them both to capture that Year 44 SC title. (It's worth noting that Hooray, the top-earning All-Weather sprinter in SIM history as the only one to crack $3 million, only faced All Too Real in Year 45 when All Too Real was on his way out and Hooray was hitting his peak. I have Hooray as slightly better than this guy, and they were both very tough cuts from top-50 consideration.)
ALLONSY
Owner/breeder: Susie Rydell
Type: Dirt router male
Years active: 44-47
Record: 24: 13-4-6
Earnings: $7,445,500
Grade 1 wins: 8
Marquee victories: Year 44 Steward's Cup Juvenile ($2M); Year 45 Baltimore Crown ($1.5M); Year 46 Pegasus Classic ($7M).
Awards: Y44-North American Champion Two Year Old Male.
Notes: What we have here is a special racehorse in a period where multiple special dirt routers were on the scene, with the likes of Gryffindor, Circle of Life, Captain My Captain, Happy This Way, Storm Up Ahead and Cosmo providing plenty of stiff competition. What we can say definitively is that in Year 44, there wasn't a dirt route juvenile in the SIM better than him. He won his debut by almost six lengths with a 100, won his stakes debut by almost three lengths, then dominated the Steward's Cup Juvenile by the same margin (turning aside two pretty good ones in Ashwinder and Super) while posting a 97. At 3, he won his two Louisville Derby preps impressively, holding off Super by a neck with a 98 two weeks before the Run For The Roses. It wasn't exactly the ideal lead-in to the Derby, but he still managed third (within a length of winner Gryffindor and runner-up Captain My Captain) with a 91, then came back and roasted everyone to win the Baltimore Crown by nearly four lengths over All of Time and Gryffindor. After a disappointing Queen's Derby (edged by Ready Freddie and You Never Know), he won his final three starts in Year 45, all of them Grade 1s, although he elected to avoid the Steward's Cup Classic (won by Brilliantly in a close one over James Dean and Gryffindor). He started his 4-year-old season by winning the Year 46 Pegasus Classic by a neck over James Dean, arguably his biggest career accomplishment. The rest of the year was filled with close calls. He went four races without a victory, snake-bitten by a neck, a nose, a neck and a neck as All of Time (twice), Captain My Captain and Sharpshooter kept him out of the winner's circle. He did edge You Never Know by a neck to win the Arcadia Classic, then was edged by a neck by Calumet to close the year. He started Year 47 impressively with two commanding victories, including the Grade 1 Baltimore Special, before he lost a step or two over the second half of the year and retired. So where does he stand in the pecking order? It's a tough call. James Dean has one fewer marquee victory, but he finished second or third in so many big races, and compiled enough earnings (more than $11 million), that he should get the nod. Gryffindor loved 12 furlongs and won four million-dollar races (including the Derby), but Allonsy did smoke him in Baltimore and has higher earnings (albeit with a worse winning percentage). Circle of Life's resume is very similar to Allonsy's and did smoke Allonsy late in Year 47 when Allonsy was past it. Cosmo, the Year 47 Baltimore Crown winner, is an interesting comparison as a router who largely stuck to his short-route strengths and thus has a better winning percentage, but doesn't have enough marquee victories or earnings to really get the nod. Captain My Captain, Happy This Way and Storm Up Ahead can't touch Allonsy's career. Ultimately, in the historical record, Allonsy will be overshadowed a bit, but that doesn't make him any less impressive when you really take a close look.
AMERICAN VALOR
Owner/breeder: Xander Zone
Type: Dirt miler male
Years active: 37-40
Record: 23: 16-4-2
Earnings: $4,088,000
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 38 Steward's Cup Dirt Mile ($2M); Year 39 Desert Mile ($1M), Year 40 Steward's Cup Dirt Mile ($2M).
Awards: None.
Notes: It's hard to believe the SIM's all-time leading dirt miler in points earned never won any awards, but I digress. He went 4-for-4 as a juvenile, taking the Grade 1 Long Island Futurity and the Grade 2 Oklahoma Springboard in the process. His 3-year-old season started with five straight losses, with the best run a runner-up effort well behind Light of the Moon in the Long Island Mile. But he won a Grade 3 in his SC Dirt Mile prep, then crushed the field by almost four lengths with a 90 -- by far his career-best to that point. At 4, he trounced Touchdown Raiders by four lengths in the Desert Mile and entered the SC Dirt Mile as the defending champ on a seven-race winning streak, but Lucky Coins got the better of him in an upset. At 5, he won four of his first five starts -- including the Grade 1 Seattle Mile -- with the lone blemish a third-place effort behind Minions and Lucky Coins despite running his second career 90 in the Desert Mile. Went out in style by capturing his second SC Dirt Mile title, beating Arresting Valor and Minions by 2 1/2 lengths with his third and final 90. He ranks third among dirt milers in all-time earnings and is one of 14 dirt milers to win at least 14 stakes races.
ANDRE
Owner: Laura Ferguson
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Turf router male
Years active: 29-32
Record: 21: 16-2-2
Earnings: $5,577,500
Grade 1 wins: 8
Marquee victories: Year 31 Desert Turf Classic ($1M); Year 32 Desert Turf Classic ($1M); Year 32 Arc de Triomphe ($3M).
Awards: Y32-European Champion Older Male, Y31-Asian Champion Older Male, Y30-European Champion Three Year Old Male.
Notes: Ferguson bought this guy at auction for $12.684 million, so she clearly expected big things -- and big things are what she got. He went undefeated through his first seven starts, including a 3-for-3 juvenile season capped with a Grade 1 Magellan Stakes title. At 3, he won three straight Grade 1 titles in convincing fashion in the German Derby, London Derby and Irish Derby before his streak came to an end in the Year 30 Arc, soundly beaten by Kareem Abdul and Believe while finishing third. He promptly won his first five starts at 4, including the first of back-to-back Desert Turf Classic championships in a rout, as well as a win by a neck over Noah in the Grade 1 Worldwide Stakes. However, Noah beat him by a length in the Year 31 Arc, and Committee of Five edged him by a quarter-length two weeks later in the Steward's Cup Turf as the biggest titles kept eluding him. At 5, he won three straight -- including a defense of his Desert Turf -- before a disappointing third in the Grade 1 King George Stakes. But he bounced back with his biggest career victory, avenging his loss to Go Do and Alexei in the King George by beating them both to win the Year 32 Arc. He tried to double in the SC Turf but didn't have enough in the tank and was fourth -- the only time in his career he finished off the board. He is one of 21 turf routers to crack $5 million in turf route earnings, ranking 16th (and in his day the Desert Turf and Arc carried significantly smaller purses).
AS TO WAR
Owner/breeder: Emily Mitchell
Type: Turf sprinter colt
Years active: 29-31
Record: 12: 12-0-0
Earnings: $1,307,500
Grade 1 wins: 2
Marquee victories: Year 31 Steward's Cup Turf Sprint ($1.5M)
Awards: Y31-North American Champion Turf Sprinter, Y30-South American Champion Sprinter.
Notes: Went 5-for-5 as a juvenile, all of them in listed stakes at Child's Play Park in Canada, and all of them by at least a length. Raced only three times at age 3 after a break of almost eight weeks, and while he wasn't dominant -- winning each start by a half-length or less -- he did win them all, capped by a Grade 1 title in the Los Campeones Turf Sprint in Argentina. Also only raced four times at age 4, winning a Grade 2 and Grade 3 before stepping up in his final career start and winning the SC Turf Sprint by a length over Billow.
ATLANTIS
Owner: Emily Mitchell
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Turf router male
Years active: 19-22
Record: 17: 13-3-1
Earnings: $3,882,500
Grade 1 wins: 8
Marquee victories: Year 20 Cox Trophy ($1M), Year 20 Melbourne Trophy ($1.5M), Year 22 Arc de Triomphe ($1M)
Awards: Y21-South Pacific Horse of the Year, Y21-South Pacific Champion Older Male, Y20-South Pacific Horse of the Year, Y20-South Pacific Champion Three Year Old Male.
Notes: Once this guy won his MSW debut by almost eight lengths, it was off to the races. He won his next 10, all of them by at least four lengths, and the first six came in Grade 1 outings of increasing quality, starting with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in his second and final start of Year 19. There followed an impressive sweep of most of Australia's top races -- the Brisbane Derby and Melbourne Derby against other 3-year-olds, then the Sydney Trophy, Cox Trophy and Melbourne Trophy against older horses who were still completely outclassed. For almost all of Year 21, it remained the same as he crushed two more Australian fields, including the Grade 1 Brisbane Trophy, then traveled stateside and won a Grade 2 by more than six lengths and a Grade 3 by an astounding 12. So imagine the total shock that rippled through the turf routing world when, in the Year 21 Steward's Cup Turf, he was stunned by a length by Legend to end his 11-for-11 streak. At 5 in Year 22, he would lose his first three stakes starts (winning only an allowance) and appeared past his prime. But he closed his career with one last signature run, beating Hercules (who had beaten him in their previous start) by 1 1/2 lengths to win the Arc. It was a fitting finale for a superstar who will always be remembered for the staggering dominance of his first 11 races.
AZELIA BAY
Owner/breeder: Jon Xett
Type: Dirt all-rounder filly
Years active: 15-17
Record: 13: 13-0-0
Earnings: $2,065,200
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 15 Steward's Cup Juvenile Fillies ($1M).
Awards: Y15-North American Champion Two Year Old Female
Notes: Opened her career with a pair of non-stakes sprint victories, then won the Grade 2 Oak Leaf Stakes over a mile and the SC Juvenile Fillies over 1 1/16 miles convincingly. At 3 in Year 16, she opened with a Grade 3 miler triumph, then won the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes short route by a staggering 14 1/2 lengths. Took almost seven weeks off before winning a pair of Grade 3 milers by at least five lengths each, then took the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes, a sprint, by 7 1/2 lengths to close the year. At 4, she won a Grade 3 sprint by five lengths, then ran three more short routes, winning the Grade 2 Serena's Song Handicap by two lengths and the Grade 1 Ruffian Handicap and the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes by four lengths each to close her career. Never ran against males, but no filly ever came within two lengths of her.
BANNER
Owner/breeder: Ara Davies
Type: Turf sprinter/router filly (primarily routes)
Years active: 8-10
Record: 11: 9-0-1
Earnings: $3,924,000
Grade 1 wins: 0
Marquee victories: Year 10 Arc de Triomphe ($2M), Year 10 Hong Kong Vase ($2M).
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y10-European Horse of the Year, Y10-European Champion Older Female, Y9-European Champion Three Year Old Female.
Notes: While probably better known as a superstar broodmare whose influence has lasted through today, she was a standout racer in her own right. The "Grade 1" titles stat is misleading because the two marquee races she won (among others) were only listed stakes back in the early days of the SIM. At age 2, she won a short sprint stakes title but ran third in a longer sprint next out. Immediately jumped to routes at age 3 and won the Irish Oaks before finishing fourth in the Year 9 SC F&M Turf. Was 4-for-4 at age 4, starting with a decisive Arc championship (crushing an all-timer in Notable Dancer by three lengths) and finishing with wins in the Tattersails Gold Cup (an $800,000 race) and the Hong Kong Vase.
BATTLE
Owner: Ricky Bobby
Breeder: Stephen Saratoga
Type: Dirt/All-Weather sprinter male
Years active: 33-36
Record: 23: 17-3-1
Earnings: $1,832,500
Grade 1 wins: 2
Marquee victories: Year 35 Desert Golden Sprint ($1M), Year 36 Steward's Cup Synthetic Sprint
Awards: Y36-All Weather Champion Sprinter
Notes: Ran his first 18 races on dirt through early in his age 5 season. Won his first five starts as a juvenile, three of them stakes outings, including a Two Year Old Sprint eliminator, before settling for second by a half-length to Satelite Eyes in the Two Year Old Sprint Championship. At 3, won his first three starts, all in graded stakes, before running a close second to Satelite Eyes in a pair of Grade 1 races (Look My Best Stakes, Lexington Sprint). At 4, won a Grade 3 and ran third in another before breaking through in a major race for the first time, beating Cobra Venom by a half-length in the Desert Golden Sprint. Won two more races before running a poor eighth in the SC Sprint. At 5, was fifth in his first start, then moved to All-Weather and won all five of his starts on the surface, including the SC Synthetic Sprint by two lengths.
BATTLENOTE
Owner/breeder: Nena Olson
Type: All-Weather miler/router colt
Years active: 22-24
Record: 10: 9-1-0
Earnings: $479,500
Grade 1 wins: 1
Marquee victories: Year 23 All Weather Championship, Year 24 All-Weather Championship.
Awards: Y24-All Weather Horse of the Year, Y24-All Weather Champion Older Male, Y23-All Weather Champion Older Male.
Notes: Anybody who enjoys the SIM's synthetic scene should send The Steward (and Madeline Gilbert) a note of appreciation for all they've done for this division over the last 20 years, because it had rather humble beginnings, with very little purse money. The Year 23 All Weather Championship race wasn't even a Grade 1! What? So you can't look at earnings and Grade 1 wins when figuring out how good these early AW stars were. And here was a good one. He only raced once at 2, then went 5-for-5, all in stakes races, at age 3, capped by his first AW Championship title by a head over Coot. He was 7-for-7 lifetime before Figure Me Out stunned him by a length in mid-Year 24, but he won his last two starts, including another AW Championship in a close one over Hang Glider.
BE PREPARED
Owner/breeder: Danny Derby
Type: Dirt router colt
Years active: 42-44
Record: 15: 10-2-3
Earnings: $6,597,500
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 43 Long Island Classic ($1M), Year 44 Desert World Cup ($5M)
Awards: Y44-North American Champion Older Male
Notes: Debuted with a 97 and won a Grade 3 by a head over Good Together before running third, a neck behind winner Scanlon and a nose behind Tahoe, with a 97 in the SC Juvenile. At 3, he won the Grade 2 Owlpha Stakes in a rout but was third, a length behind winner Tahoe and nosed out by DI Hardy, in the Louisville Derby. Came back to beat Jack Skellington and Tahoe in the Long Island Classic. Ran a neck behind Sherwood in the Grade 1 Oceanside Classic, then edged After the Disco by a nose with a 97 in the Grade 1 Awesome Derby before running third behind Halloween Town and Tahoe in the SC Classic. Was nearly unbeatable at 4, winning his first five starts. He beat Tahoe by a half-length in the Desert World Cup, then won three more Grade 1 outings (all sponsored) in dominant fashion before posting a 96 in a runner-up finish a half-length back of You Are Not Alone in the SC Classic.
BEAR'S PEARL
Owner/breeder: Joseph Depaulo
Type: All-Weather sprinter filly
Years active: 46-48
Record: 18: 12-5-1
Earnings: $1,389,500
Grade 1 wins: 4
Marquee victories: Year 46 Steward's Cup Synthetic Filly Dash, Year 47 Steward's Cup Synthetic Speed, Year 48 Steward's Cup Synthetic Speed
Awards: Y48-All Weather Champion Older Female, Y47-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Female, Y46-All Weather Champion Two Year Old Female
Notes: Went 6-for-6 as a juvenile, all in stakes, winning a Grade 3 first out and adding another two races later before closing Year 46 with a 1 1/2-length victory over Prayer and a Song in the SC Synthetic Filly Dash. At 3, she suffered early-season losses to Franken Storm (in the Grade 1 Chocopologie Sprint) and Stylist, but came back to win the Grade 1 Artificial Dash and capped the year with a thrilling victory by a nose over Franken Storm in the SC Synthetic Speed. Lost her first four starts at 4, won a classified allowance to regain confidence, then earned a third SC title by a head over Pit and Fissure in the SC Synthetic Speed.
BENEFIT
Owner/breeder: Brianna McKenzie
Type: Dirt sprinter colt
Years active: 44-46
Record: 19: 16-2-1
Earnings: $5,395,500
Grade 1 wins: 9
Marquee victories: Year 44 Two Year Old Sprint Championship ($1.5M), Year 45 Steward's Cup Sprint ($3M), Year 46 Pegasus Sprint ($1.5M), Year 46 Desert Golden Sprint ($2M).
Awards: Y46-North American Champion Sprinter, Y45-North American Champion Sprinter.
Notes: Here's one of many examples of why I wanted to make this list, because I had no clue who this guy was, and he was GOOD. He did lose his first stakes outing at 2, then ripped off eight straight, including the Two Year Old Sprint Championship by two lengths over Cognac (a filly who would become a millionaire) with a 92 and a win by a neck over eventual multi-millionaire Walk Off Grandslam in the Grade 1 Esteemed Stakes. After getting upset by Agoodmangoestowar in the Grade 1 Inspired Fox Stakes, Benefit ripped off an even more impressive seven-race winning streak that included three straight marquee titles. He crushed Walk Off Grandslam by three lengths with a career-best 96 in the Year 45 SC Sprint, opened the next year by edging Cognac by a neck in the three-horse Pegasus Sprint, then bested Thunder by two lengths in the Desert Golden Sprint. While his final race, the Year 46 SC Sprint, was a bit of a disappointment as he ran a close third behind stablemate Slightchangeofplan and He Breathes Fire, he still posted a 92. Not a bad three years' work for the leader in earnings among horses listed specifically as dirt sprinters. A very tough cut.
BISHOUJO SENSHI
Owner: Jess Paquette
Type: Dirt sprinter/router filly
Years active: 7-9
Record: 13: 7-4-1
Earnings: $5,508,000
Grade 1 wins: 3
Marquee victories: Year 8 Midsummer Classic ($1M), Year 9 Desert World Cup ($6M).
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y9-North American Champion Older Female.
Notes: Fusaichi Pegasus wound up being one of the best real-life sires in the SIM, and here's the best female he ever produced (at least as far as racing is concerned). Her first three races came in juvenile sprints, winning a Grade 2, before she moved up to routes in preparation for the Year 8 Triple Crown Trail. She won her prep, the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes, and though she was a disappointing ninth in the Louisville Derby, she came back to finish second to Triple Crown winner Tremendous in the Long Island Classic, then became the second female champion of the Midsummer Classic -- joining Shepickedupadance, who won it in Year 4 -- and remains the last female to win that event. She did not run in the Steward's Cup to close the year, instead targeting the Year 9 Desert World Cup, which she won over Tremendous for the biggest victory of her career. She was the second of four females to win the DWC (Three Day Event in Year 5, Whitney in Year 30, Skyfall in Year 41). Closed her career with a third-place run in the SC Classic, and is one of only seven females in SIM history to earn at least $5 million.
BRAKEBILLS
Owner: Todd Lucas
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Dirt router male
Years active: 32-35
Record: 19: 14-3-0
Earnings: $3,098,000
Grade 1 wins: 7
Marquee victories: Year 34 Desert Marathon ($1M), Year 34 Steward's Cup Marathon ($1M), Year 35 Desert Marathon ($1M), Year 35 Steward's Cup Marathon ($1M)
Awards: None.
Notes: This guy absolutely loved going two miles (5-for-5 with all four of his marquee victories coming at that distance). He won the Year 34 SC Marathon by a staggering eight lengths and the Year 35 Desert Marathon by six. Only knock on him is his mediocre finishes in Year 33 Louisville Derby (seventh) and SC Classic (sixth).
CABARET
Owner/breeder: Jon Xett
Type: Turf miler/router filly
Years active: 9-10
Record: 7: 7-0-0
Earnings: $1,242,000
Grade 1 wins: 3
Marquee victories: Year 10 Steward's Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y10-North American Champion Female Turf Horse, Y9-North American Champion Two Year Old Female
Notes: Along with Banner, was a premier turf route filly of her era. In her second start at 2, won a Grade 1 miler, then in her first try in a route she won the Grade 1 Magellan Stakes. At 3 she dominated three straight graded stakes (winning by 4, 10 1/2 and 9 1/2 lengths) before holding off All in Fun by a length in the SC F&M Turf.
CALIFORNIA
Owner/breeder: Laura Ferguson
Type: Dirt router colt
Years active: 16-18
Record: 13: 10-2-1
Earnings: $4,264,000
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 17 Long Island Classic ($1M), Year 18 Arcadia Handicap ($1M), Year 18 Pacific Classic ($1M)
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y18-North American Champion Older Male, Y17-North American Champion Three Year Old Male
Notes: Ran twice at 2, winning each by at least 7 1/2 lengths. At 3, won a pair of Derby preps, including a Grade 3 by more than 15 lengths and the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes by more than five. Skipped the Derby and finished a close third in the Baltimore Crown behind Empire and Wonder, but came back to blow away the field by 7 1/2 lengths in Long Island Classic before running a half-length behind Kiddo in Midsummer Classic. Went on a five-race winning streak bridging his age 3 and age 4 seasons, including the Arcadia Handicap and Pacific Classic (edging Kiddo by a half-length in both), and the Super Derby and Inglewood Gold Cup by wide margins. Ended career well back of Pillar of Strength in Year 18 Steward's Cup Classic, although he beat Wonder.
CARA STAMM
Owner/breeder: Joe Smitt
Type: All-Weather sprinter filly
Years active: 40-42
Record: 19: 16-2-1
Earnings: $1,325,000
Grade 1 wins: 4
Marquee victories: Year 40 Steward's Cup Synthetic Filly Dash, Year 41 Steward's Cup Synthetic Speed
Awards: Y41-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Female, Y41-All Weather Champion Sprinter, Y40-All Weather Champion Two Year Old Female
Records: All-Weather 7 furlongs (1:24.56)
Notes: Went 6-for-6 as a juvenile, no victory closer than a length, capped by a decisive victory over Rubber Dance in the SC Synthetic Filly Dash. At 3, she went 7-for-7 with Grade 1 titles in the Chocopologie Sprint, Artificial Dash and SC Synthetic Speed (setting the 7-furlong world record in winning by 7 1/2 lengths). Stretched winning streak to 14 with a Grade 3 win to start Year 42 before suffering first loss by a nose to Plane Hexagon in the Chocopologie. Also was beaten by a head by Paradise Street in Artificial Dash and was third, about a head behind champion At the Gallows End, in the SC Synthetic Sprint. Yet another horse who was a tough cut from the top 50. At this point, it was getting beyond brutal figuring out the final spots.
CATFOOD N SADNESS
Owner/breeder: Todd Lucas
Type: All-Weather router colt
Years active: 44-46
Record: 16: 10-1-1
Earnings: $2,745,500
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 44 All Weather Futurity, Year 45 All Weather Derby ($1M), Year 45 Steward's Cup Synthetic Classic, Year 46 Pegasus Route ($1.4M)
Awards: Y45-All Weather Horse of the Year, Y45-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Male
Records: All-Weather 1 3/16 miles (1:55.23).
Notes: Did most of his damage in his first 11 races through the Year 46 Pegasus Route, going 11: 9-1-0 up to that point. Won all three starts as a juvenile, all by at least a length, capped by his victory in the All Weather Futurity. Was a shockingly poor fifth in his 3-year-old debut, then won the Grade 2 Derby Dreams Stakes by a neck and the All Weather Derby comfortably. Ran second next out in a Grade 3, then edged Wild Alive by a nose in the Grade 1 Synthetic Derby, won a Grade 2 in style and prevailed by a half-length in the Year 45 SC Synthetic Classic with a 93. At 4, he set the 11-furlong world record in winning the Pegasus Route by five lengths, then lost a step and finished third or worse in four of his last five starts, although he won the Grade 1 Plastics Classic by a head.
CAUGHT INA TSUNAMI
Owner/creator: Eric Nalbone
Type: Turf miler/router colt
Years active: 10-11
Record: 9: 7-2-0
Earnings: $4,964,000
Grade 1 wins: 1
Marquee victories: Year 10 Two Thousand Guineas ($1M), Year 11 Desert Duty Free ($2M), Year 11 Pellegrini Stakes ($3M)
Awards: Y11-South American Horse of the Year, Y11-South American Champion Older Male, Y10-South American Champion Three Year Old Male
Notes: Debuted at 3 and won his first three starts, capped by a victory over Whirl Triomphe in the Two Thousand Guineas miler in Chile, before settling for second to Touche in the Pellegrini Stakes miler. At 4, he won his first four starts, including the short route Desert Duty Free by two lengths and the Pellegrini Stakes by less than a length, before ending his racing career with a runner-up finish to T M Awesome in the 10-furlong, $2 million Los Campeones Classic.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Owner/breeder: Abe Froman
Type: Dirt sprinter colt
Years active: 38-40
Record: 18: 10-3-2
Earnings: $3,041,500
Grade 1 wins: 3
Marquee victories: Year 38 Two Year Old Sprint Championship ($1.5M), Year 39 Steward's Cup Sprint ($2M)
Awards: Y39-North American Champion Sprinter
Notes: Won his first three starts and four of his first five as a juvenile, then bounced back from a fourth-place finish in his Two Year Old Sprint eliminator to win the Two Year Old Sprint Championship by a half-length over Hope Rings True. At 3, he won his final three starts, including the Grade 1 Look My Best Stakes by a neck over Hope Rings True and the SC Sprint by a neck over Happy Times Ahead. Lost a step at 4 and managed only a Grade 2 win in five starts. Was 13: 9-3-0 in his first two seasons.
CHARLES THE GREAT
Owner/breeder: Christophe Desjardin
Type: Turf sprinter colt
Years active: 44-47
Record: 23: 12-5-4
Earnings: $2,712,100
Grade 1 wins: 4
Marquee victories: Year 47 Desert Turf Sprint ($1M), Year 47 Steward's Cup Turf Sprint ($2M)
Awards: Y47-North American Champion Turf Sprinter
Notes: I almost didn't write this guy a capsule, but as the only horse to beat See You Monday twice (en route to his award in Year 47), I decided what the heck. Only won once in six starts as a juvenile, with a top figure of 84. Turned a corner in Year 45 at 3, winning three straight graded stakes -- including the Grade 1 Barbados Derby -- while posting a pair of high-90s figures, but closed the year with a pair of disappointing fourth-place finishes, including the SC Turf Sprint (where he was only about a length behind winner Sound of the Storm). In Year 46, he easily won the Grade 2 Desert Turf prep but wound up a close third behind One Who Defends and Composer in the Desert Turf Sprint. Won his next three starts, including the Grade 1 Nakayama Sprinters Stakes, before running third well behind runaway winner See You Monday in the SC Turf Sprint. Started Year 47 by pushing SYM like he had never been before, but finished second by a nose in the Desert Turf Prep. Came back and beat the previously unbeaten superstar by a nose with a 97 in the Desert Turf Sprint, starting a career-closing run of four victories. In the SC Turf Sprint, he beat SYM again by a head with a 96.
CHESAPEAKE BAY
Owner: Susie Rydell
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Dirt all-rounder colt
Years active: 9-11
Record: 13: 11-1-1
Earnings: $3,152,000
Grade 1 wins: 2
Marquee victories: Year 10 AE Derby ($2M)
Awards: None.
Notes: Won his first three starts, including a stakes sprint and the Grade 1 Inglewood Futurity at a mile, before taking third behind Loki Masterpiece and Charm's Tribute in the Steward's Cup Juvenile. Went 4-for-4 at age 3, winning the UAE Derby by a staggering nine lengths as the highlight. Was 4-for-5 at age 4, the only loss coming well behind Walkover in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic.
CIRCLE OF LIFE
Owner/breeder: Danny Derby
Type: Turf router colt
Years active: 45-47
Record: 16: 10-3-2
Earnings: $6,210,000
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 46 Midsummer Classic ($1M), Year 47 Desert World Cup ($6M)
Awards: None
Notes: Debuted with a 100, then easily won the Grade 2 Brakebills Stakes before finishing second by a nose to Saturday Silence in the SC Juvenile. Won both his Louisville Derby preps, beating Westwood by a half-length in the Grade 3 Tremendous Stakes and crushing the field by almost four lengths in the Grade 1 Kentucky Blue Stakes. Ran a close third in the Derby, a neck behind Year 46 Triple Crown champion Dragonfly and a nose behind Keyser Soze, then was second a half-length behind Dragonfly in the Long Island Classic. Came back to beat Steelheart by more than two lengths in the Midsummer Classic and beat him again by a half-length in the Grade 1 Awesome Derby before running a close third behind You Never Know and James Dean in the SC Classic. At 4, he beat Steelheart by two lengths (and Dragonfly by almost two more) to win the Desert World Cup and also took the Grade 1 Solana Beach Stakes (sponsored by Derby) before Steelheart edged him by a neck in the Grade 1 Oceanside Classic. Beat Storm Up Ahead by a neck with a 96 in the Grade 1 Arcadia Classic, but ran a disappointing sixth in the SC Classic.
COBALT
Owner: Alysse Peverell
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Dirt miler/router colt
Years active: 13-15
Record: 10: 9-0-1
Earnings: $2,818,000
Grade 1 wins: 3
Marquee victories: Year 14 Baltimore Crown ($1M), Year 14 Haskell Invitational ($1M)
Awards: None
Notes: Raced just twice as a juvenile, winning his debut by six lengths and a Grade 3 miler by seven. At 3, he easily won a Grade 2 Louisville Derby prep before settling for a close third in the Derby, a neck behind winner Loki Dynasty and another nose back of Viper. Beat Viper by a length to take the Baltimore Crown, then crushed Chinese Bandit by 2 1/2 lengths in the Haskell Invitational. Went 4-for-4 at age 4, beating Chinese Bandit again in the Grade 1 San Fernando Stakes, adding a pair of Grade 2 short route victories, then closing with a win over Lightninginabottle in the Cigar Mile.
CONQUERER
Owner/breeder: Cleo Patra
Type: Dirt router colt
Years active: 46-48
Record: 18: 13-1-3
Earnings: $6,771,000
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 47 Louisville Derby ($2M), Year 47 Midsummer Classic ($1M), Year 47 Steward's Cup Classic ($6M)
Awards: Y47-North American Champion Three Year Old Male, Y47-North American Horse of the Year
Notes: Won his first six career starts with an insane average speed figure of 96.2, including a 99 in winning the Louisville Derby in a rout with the fastest Derby time ever (1:58.65). Settled for third in both a lightning-fast Baltimore Crown (with a 97!) and Long Island Classic, then righted the ship with three straight wins to close the year, including the Midsummer Classic and SC Classic, edging Triple Crown champion Dragonfly by a head with a 96 in the SC. At age 4, he ran third in the Desert World Cup, won the Inglewood Gold Cup and American Maturity, was second in the $1 million Oceanside Classic and closed his career by running fifth in the SC Classic.
CONSOLATION PRIZE
Owner: Ara Davies
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Turf miler/router colt
Years active: 9-11
Record: 11: 9-2-0
Earnings: $6,233,000
Grade 1 wins: 2
Marquee victories: Year 10 Epsom Derby ($1.5M), Year 10 2000 Guineas ($1M), Year 10 Japan Cup ($3M), Year 11 Arc de Triomphe ($2M)
Awards: None.
Notes: Lost his second career start, a 7-furlong sprint won by another all-timer in Crystal Night, then won eight straight starts with marquee titles at distances from 1 mile to 12 furlongs. Ripped off the Epsom Derby (12 furlongs), 2000 Guineas (1 mile), Irish Derby (12 furlongs) and Japan Cup (12 furlongs) in succession at age 3, then added Arc title to open age 4 season. Won twice more in blowouts before losing to The Scarlet Nite in Year 11 SC Turf to close career.
DARK CRIES
Owner/breeder: Robert Forston
Type: Turf router filly
Years active: 35-37
Record: 15: 12-1-1
Earnings: $3,460,000
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 36 Louisville Bunburette; Year 36 Steward's Cup Filly and Mare Turf ($2.5M); Year 37 Steward's Cup Filly and Mare Turf ($2.5M)
Awards: Y36-North American Champion Three Year Old Female, Y36-North American Champion Female Turf Horse
Notes: Went 4-for-4 as a juvenile with three listed stakes victories, then was 5-for-5 at 3 with Grade 1 titles in the Louisville Bunburette, Lucrezia Borgia Stakes and SC F&M Turf (edging all-timer Olive Branch by a head). Came back to Earth at 4, losing three of her first four starts (including fourth in the Chicago Million in her only race against the boys), but regrouped to close her career with wins in the Grade 1 Golden Gift Stakes and the SC F&M Turf, repeating in the latter.
DOCTOR
Owner/breeder: Susie Rydell
Type: Dirt router colt
Years active: 39-41
Record: 14: 9-2-1
Earnings: $4,882,000
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 40 Baltimore Crown ($1.5M), Year 40 Steward's Cup Classic ($5M)
Awards: Y40-North American Champion Three Year Old Male
Notes: Ran only twice as a juvenile, winning a Grade 3 by a neck after a 96 debut. At 3, he won both his Louisville Derby preps by a combined 11 lengths, the Grade 3 Giacomo Stakes and the Grade 1 Sunshine Park Derby, but settled for second 1 1/2 lengths behind Skyfall in the Derby. Came back to win the Baltimore Crown by 1 1/2 lengths over Tightrope, and beat Tightrope again by a similar margin in the Grade 1 Queen's Derby. Was a shockingly poor fourth in the Grade 1 Midsummer Classic, but rebounded to romp in the SC Classic by three lengths over Doomsday, Tightrope and Skyfall. Won his first outing at 4, a Grade 2, then went through a rough patch, running seventh in the Desert World Cup (won by Skyfall), second to Safe Passage in the Grade 1 Spa Classic and third behind Oncoming Storm and Torchwood in the Grade 1 Long Island Handicap despite posting a 95. Went out with a victory in the Grade 1 Los Campeones Classic with another 95.
DOCTOR WHO
Owner: Eric Nalbone
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Dirt miler/router male
Years active: 43-46
Record: 22: 13-4-2
Earnings: $10,739,000
Grade 1 wins: 5
Marquee victories: Year 45 Pegasus Classic ($12M), Year 45 Desert Mile ($2M), Year 46 Steward's Cup Dirt Mile ($2M)
Awards: None.
Notes: Didn't really hit his stride until age 4, as he was sixth in Year 43 SC Juvenile, 11th in Year 44 Louisville Derby (10 furlongs was always a little too far for him) and sixth in that year's Baltimore Crown. But in Year 45, he pulled off a bit of a surprise by beating Heart of the Storm to win the second-richest race in SIM history, the $12 million Pegasus Classic. Followed that up by edging DI Hardy by a nose in the Desert Mile, and two races later beat Calumet to take the Long Island Handicap before finishing second a head behind All of Time in the SC Dirt Mile. At 5, he was a distant third in the Pegasus Classic and second by a nose to All of Time in the Desert Mile. By the time the SC Dirt Mile rolled around, he had lost five of his previous six starts, but he beat All of Time by a head to close his career in style. One of seven horses to surpass $10 million in earnings, ranking fifth all-time.
DR. GHAZI
Owner: Dan Gordon
Breeder: The Steward
Type: All-Weather/Dirt router colt
Years active: 28-30
Record: 18: 12-2-1 (5: 5-0-0 in All-Weather)
Earnings: $1,550,000
Grade 1 wins: 7
Marquee victories: Year 29 Plastics Classic, Year 29 Steward's Cup Synthetic Classic, Year 30 Steward's Cup Synthetic Marathon
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y29-All Weather Champion Three Year Old Male
Notes: Had his moments on the dirt, winning the Grade 1 Southern California Derby (a Louisville Derby prep) at 3 before running a close third in the Long Island Classic, but truly excelled in All-Weather, winning the Year 29 SC Synthetic Classic by a staggering 10 lengths. Won three more Grade 1 titles on the fake stuff in Year 30, including the SC Synthetic Marathon by two lengths.
DUMBLEDORE
Owner/breeder: Ali Weasley
Type: All-Weather router female
Years active: 28-31
Record: 20: 14-3-1 (12: 11-1-0 in All-Weather routes)
Earnings: $1,128,250
Grade 1 wins: 2
Marquee victories: Year 29 Steward's Cup Synthetic Matron, Year 30 Steward's Cup Synthetic Classic
Awards: None
Notes: Broke out at 3 in Year 29 with a 6-for-6 season, all in stakes All-Weather routes, capped by her decisive SC Synthetic Matron victory over Sun Flare. Won her first three starts at 4, all in mixed company, before falling to Dr. Ghazi by a length in the Grade 1 Plastics Classic. Came back and edged Yes by a neck to win the SC Synthetic Classic. Raced on dirt and turf in Year 31 with mixed results, although she did win a Grade 3 short route on both surfaces.
ECHO ICED
Owner/breeder: Bob Oliva
Type: Dirt sprinter colt
Years active: 17-19
Record: 17: 14-3-0
Earnings: $3,045,400
Grade 1 wins: 4
Marquee victories: Year 18 Steward's Cup Sprint ($2M), Year 19 Desert Golden Sprint ($1M)
Awards: Y18-North American Horse of the Year, Y18-North American Champion Sprinter, Y17-Islands Champion Two Year Old Male
Notes: Won his first five starts, four of them graded stakes, before capping Year 17 with a close second-place finish to Southern Cross in the Two Year Old Sprint Championship. Was 6-for-6 at age 3, capped by three straight Grade 1 titles in the King's Bishop Stakes, Vosburgh Stakes and Year 18 SC Sprint, which he won by a nose over Look My Best. Also won his first three starts at 4, including the Desert Golden Sprint in a rout over Tycoon, before closing his career with runner-up efforts behind Southern Cross in a Grade 2 and to Look My Best in the Year 19 SC Sprint.
ELYSIAN PARK
Owner: Laura Ferguson
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Turf router male
Years active: 30-33
Record: 21: 15-0-4
Earnings: $5,688,400
Grade 1 wins: 9
Marquee victories: Year 32 Cox Trophy ($1M), Year 32 Melbourne Trophy ($1M), Year 33 Desert Turf Classic ($1M), Year 33 Arc de Triomphe ($5M)
Awards: Y33-European Horse of the Year, Y33-European Champion Older Male, Y32-South Pacific Horse of the Year, Y32-South Pacific Champion Older Male
Notes: After debuting in a pair of milers, he moved to routing and won his first five races, including the Grade 2 London Times Trophy as a juvenile and three straight Grade 1 titles at 3 (the Brisbane Derby, Melbourne Derby and Australian Derby) before he closed Year 31 running against older competition and finished third in both the Cox Trophy and Melbourne Trophy. At 4, he was third in the Desert Turf, then returned to Australia and dominated with four straight Grade 1 wins (Caulfield Trophy, Sydney Trophy, Cox Trophy and Melbourne Trophy, the last two coming against Monster). At 5 in Year 33, he won the Desert Turf over Quite the Feat, then decisively won what is widely considered the greatest Arc ever with a then-record 12-furlong time (2:24.80). Could not recover in time for the SC Turf, finishing eighth, but by then his legacy was secure.
END OF THE LINE
Owner: Luis Polar
Breeder: The Steward
Type: Dirt/Turf router male
Years active: 16-19
Record: 21: 14-6-1
Earnings: $5,135,000
Grade 1 wins: 9
Marquee victories: Year 19 Chicago Million, Year 19 Steward's Cup Classic ($4M)
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y19-North American Horse of the Year, Y19-North American Champion Older Male
Notes: Won his dirt sprint debut, then finished second on third in each of his next five starts (dirt races of all types, plus one turf sprint) before getting on a roll over the second half of Year 17 at age 3, when he won two Grade 1 dirt routes in Puerto Rico, was a distant second in the Grade 1 Oceanside Derby on turf, the won the Grade 1 Inglewood Derby on the grass. At 4, he won his first four starts, all on the dirt, including a pair of Grade 1 titles (beating Majesty in the Whitney Handicap). Was second to Majesty in the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, before ending the year with a rout in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap Stakes. He was untouchable in Year 19 at age 5, going 5-for-5 with three Grade 1 titles, capped by marquee wins on the turf in the Chicago Million and on the dirt in the SC Classic, putting him on the short list of greatest dual-surface runners in SIM history (a list that includes Atlas and Magician).
ENERGY IN EXCESS
Owner/creator: Jennifer Stewart
Type: Dirt all-rounder colt
Years active: 3-5
Record: 13: 11-1-1
Earnings: $2,795,000
Grade 1 wins: 6
Marquee victories: Year 4 Steward's Cup Sprint ($1M), Year 5 Desert Golden Shaheen ($1M), Year 5 Steward's Cup Sprint ($1M)
Awards: Y5-North American Champion Sprinter
Notes: One of the SIM's earliest stars broke out at age 3 in Year 4 with a 5-for-5 year that included three Grade 1 titles -- the Fountain of Youth Stakes (a short route), the Ancient Title Handicap (a sprint) and his first SC Sprint championship. Had one hiccup at age 5, finishing third in the Grade 1 Strub Stakes (worn out by racing five times in five weeks bridging Years 4-5), but made up for it with his Desert Golden Shaheen title before repeating in the SC.
EVANESCENT
Owner: Brianna McKenzie
Breeder: Eric Nalbone
Type: Dirt sprinter filly
Years active: 18-20
Record: 12: 11-0-1
Earnings: $2,175,000
Grade 1 wins: 2
Marquee victories: Year 18 Two Year Old Sprint Championship ($1M), Year 20 Steward's Cup Filly and Mare Sprint ($2M)
Awards: Horse Hall of Fame, Y20-North American Champion Female Sprinter
Notes: Jumped straight into stakes competition as a juvenile and went 4-for-4, dominating her classmates and winning the Two Year Old title by almost two lengths. Won her first three starts at 3, but settled for third behind A Map to Heaven and Chevelle in the Year 19 SC F&M Sprint. Closed career with a 4-for-4 age 4 season, winning her first three by at least four lengths each before taking the Year 20 SC F&M Sprint by a length.
