Memorable horse races of 2017

By Jlvsclrk - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
On YouTube there is posted a collection of memorable races from the year just passed. The list starts off with the Bing Crosby Stakes at Delmar, and it is memorable not so much for the winner as for the favorite - DeFrong, who ducks to an open fence at the break and unseats rider Mike Smith in a blink. Have included Arrogate's amazing recovery from botched start in the Dubai Cup. Great but that was it for winning for this winner of 2016's Travers and Classic (2016), who did not either achieve the status of "Man of War of the 21st Century" or surpass American Pharaoh's overall achievement, in my opinion but not that of others. There is Green Gratto, picked up and trained by a UPS delivery man, victorious in the Carter at 54-1 over Unify and Tommy Macho. There is Mike Smith's last-to-first ride on Abel Tasman in the Kentucky Oaks. Also a brief interview with Smith, who surpassed all records for dollar's won on the track this year; whenever he or any jockey speaks, you learn something, unlike other sports. There is Battle of Midway dueling with Sharp Azteca in the Breeders Dirt Mile.   There is horse of the year Gun Runner (shown above in 2016 picture) feeling his oats in the Woodward at Saratoga in August.  Highland Reel shows up in many dances across the globe, and wins for his last out in the Hong Kong Cup (as "Irish Eyes were smiling"). You will see Enable, the English filly in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - could easily have picked several of her other wins (most notably the Arc). The undefeated Aussie Winx is shown in the Cox Plate. Word is that the horse will travel some in 2018. I don’t show much from the Triple Crown. Just the Preakness that features a stunning speed duel between two-year old champ Classic Empire over Derby winner Always Dreaming - but that was the battle. The war was won in a mop up action by interloping Chad Brown's Cloud Computing. (My 3 year old favorites were Irish Rover and Classic Empire - neither won a jewel, tho both tried, with Classic Empire trying a bit more than anyone. Included too is the United Nations Stakes from Monmouth, where Jersey Joe Bravo took World Approval boldly up a fantastically unexpected opening.  Finally, I'd note the Breeder's Cup Distaff, one by Forever Unbridled, noted as such because it pretty much followed the script I pictured for it beforehand. That is the almost the biggest gas in horse racing for the handicapper in my opinion - to visualize it and see it transpire. Of course, greater than that is the heartfelt efforts of the horses and riders which sometimes literally take your breath away. Was some great racing from Woodbine that didn't get included. You see, tomorrow is calling.  - R.R.