Hi Evan - Thanks for weighing in with your opinion. Yes, we agree to disagree. Look at Flightline in 2022. He only raced 3 times and won HOY. Why? Because he was the BEST horse running that year. The same goes for White Abarrio in 2023. White Abarrio's Whitney and Breeders' Cup Classic victories had faster figures than Cody's Wish ever had in his career. They also carried more significance than any race Cody's Wish won last year (2 of them sprints). Compare their earnings for the year and that says it all. Last year alone, White Abarrio won more money than Cody's Wish won in his ENTIRE CAREER! Even in the June race where Cody's Wish beat White Abarrio in June, it was only at a mile and White Abarrio stumbled out of the gate. In the Whitney, Cody's Wish was crush by White Abarrio. If Cody's Wish had entered the Classic and won, then I'd say he was the best horse in 2023. He's a nice horse, a sprinter, but White Abarrio is a freak. Clearly the best horse on the track in 2023. Best, Al

Thank you for your reply. Flight line was a freak and destroyed his competition EVERY time. White Abarrio was thoroughly beaten in the Pegasus. The Met Mile is a very prestigious race and it's unfortunate White Abarrio didn't break ideally but was convincingly thrashed by Cody's Wish. The Whitney yes has huge prestige too and I understand a mile and an eighth is a more traditional barometer distance for Horse of the Year. Unfortunately not this year given the extremely weak older male division. White Abarrio himself changed barns mid year, unprecedented for any previous HOY. Clearly Cody's Wish was not himself on Whitney day and though being a son of Curlin preferred a mile distance. Most handicappers and horse racing enthusiasts agree that race is a toss being such a clear aberration for a prolific grade 1 winning horse who ran SEVERAL huge Beyer's. Being the Whitney was his only loss his record certainly stamps him as exceptional. He had 3 grade 1 wins to 2 for White Abarrio and an exceptional turn of foot. White Abarrio ran 2 great races and certainly deserves recognition. I won't be upset if he receives HOY. Best enjoy.

Hi Muskratlove - Thanks for weighing in. We agree to disagree. White Abarrio was the best horse on the track last year going by his last 2 races under Dutrow. No other horse last year was faster and more dominant around 2 turns. He iced the cake by winning the biggest race in America, the 'Breeders' Cup Classic' by beating the BEST horses on dirt who were out there. Name a 2023 horse you would take over him to win in a route race on dirt that is over a mile? Best, Alan