How would you rank them?

[keithw84]

I just read an article comparing Arrogate and Gun Runner, and it got me thinking. What if we looked at the four best horses of the last four years (American, dirt, classic distances):

American Pharoah
Arrogate
California Chrome
Gun Runner

How would you rank them?

[PointGiven]

I will add my order but did want to say I am sometimes weary of ranking horses that it comes out like I am poo pooing some. That said talent wise I would say

Arrogate
American Pharoah
Gun Runner
California Chrome

[Secondbest]

Originally Posted by keithw84

I just read an article comparing Arrogate and Gun Runner, and it got me thinking. What if we looked at the four best horses of the last four years (American, dirt, classic distances):

American Pharoah
Arrogate
California Chrome
Gun Runner

How would you rank them?

What distance?

[Afleet]

1.Gunrunner
2.Arrogate
3.California Chrome
4.American Pharoah

Arrogate would have crushed American Pharoah in the Travers if they both ran in the same year. Gunrunner Crushed Arrogate in the BC, but lost in Dubai to Arrogate. Arrogate beat Ca. Chrome in the BC. Simple

[Afleet]

Originally Posted by Secondbest

What distance?

5 1/2 furlongs

[thaskalos]

Gun Runner
American Pharoah
California Chrome
.
.
.
Arrogate

[PointGiven]

Originally Posted by Secondbest

What distance?

I don't think it would really matter, but maybe a little on GunRunner.

[Secondbest]

Originally Posted by Afleet

5 1/2 furlongs

[Secondbest]

Originally Posted by PointGiven

I don't think it would really matter, but maybe a little on GunRunner.

The reason I asked is every horse has his best distance. The Arrogate who won the Travers was the best of them all at 1 1/4 but maybe not at 1 1/8
AP won at 1 1/2.
Since no one will ever know how AP would have progressed or regressed as a 4yr old to compare him to an older Gun Runner is not fair.

[classhandicapper]

At their best Gun Runner and Arrogate gets decided in the last few strides based on the distance, how the race developed, and how the track was playing.

I like Gun Runner better overall because he has the better long term record and was still getting better.

The best of Arrogate and Gun Runner probably beats American Pharoah in a fairly run race, but imo AP had the most speed and raw talent. We just don't know if he would have continued to develop at 4.

CC is close right behind them.

[GMB@BP]

The really good Arrogate beat Gun Runner who beats American Pharoah who beat California Chrome.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Arrogate is 4-1 against Gun Runner and California Chrome.

Hard to know what AP really was. I think he was great, but not sure he really beat anybody of note.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by keithw84

I just read an article comparing Arrogate and Gun Runner, and it got me thinking. What if we looked at the four best horses of the last four years (American, dirt, classic distances):

American Pharoah
Arrogate
California Chrome
Gun Runner

How would you rank them?

At their best?

Arrogate
Gun Runner
American Pharoah
California Chrome

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

At their best?

Arrogate
Gun Runner
American Pharoah
California Chrome

I like your list, except I'd put Chrome over AP.

Tough company when you rank the 1st Triple Crown winner and BC Classic winner EVER DFL.

Would be a great 4 horse race. Who'd get the lead?

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

I like your list, except I'd put Chrome over AP.

It's a tough call because AP never raced at 4, but I let my lifelong bias against CC decide the last two spots...