Year in review: The 5 greatest races of 2019

As we head into the final three weeks of 2019, with only a handful of major racing events left on the calendar, now seems like the perfect time to celebrate the season with a look back at five of the year’s greatest races.

While I could have easily gone global with my choices (the international exploits of Enable and Almond Eye were obvious highlights this year), to keep the scope manageable, I’ve limited my top five to races that took place in North America.

Which were your favorite races of 2019? Check out my rankings and let me know if you agree or disagree.

5. Midnight Bisou edges Elate in the Personal Ensign Stakes

In their third meeting of the season, Elate seemed poised to finally get the better of Midnight Bisou when she turned for home with a clear lead in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. But the indomitable Midnight Bisou—who rallied resiliently under the urging of Mike Smith—refused to concede. The two locked horns at the eighth pole and slugged it out to the finish line. Midnight Bisou got the better of her rival by a stubborn nose. There wasn’t a more thrilling finish all year long.

4. Shancelot trounces his rivals in the Amsterdam Stakes

Shancelot exhibited pure brilliance in the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga. Blazing fractions of :21.79 and :43.94 couldn’t tire him out. The 3-year-old son of Shanghai Bobby simply widened at will and powered home in front by 12 1/2 lengths. His six-furlong fraction of 1:07.63 unofficially eclipsed the track record, and his final time of 1:14.01 translated to massive speed figures. By many metrics Shancelot’s Amsterdam was the fastest and most breathtaking performance of the year.

3. Mitole defeats a stellar field in the Met Mile

Mitole is certain to be voted champion male sprinter of 2019, but he also carried his speed over a mile to defeat a stellar field in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1). Against grade 1 winners McKinzie, Thunder Snow, Promises Fulfilled, Firenze Fire and Pavel (plus graded winners Coal Front, Tale of Silence and Prince Lucky), Mitole tracked fast fractions, took command in the stretch and held off challenges from McKinzie and Thunder Snow to prevail in 1:32.75. The Met Mile featured one of the strongest fields assembled for any race in 2019, and Mitole’s triumph revealed the impressive depth of his quality and talent.

2. Bricks and Mortar caps unbeaten season in Breeders’ Cup Turf

Bricks and Mortar had every excuse to lose the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Racing at 1 1/2 miles for the first time, the son of Giant’s Causeway was rank early and buried in traffic, and fought his rider, begging for racing room. Many horses would burn out after fighting so hard to run free, but when Bricks and Mortar finally found a seam in the homestretch, he unleashed a powerful finish to win by a head and complete a perfect 6-for-6 season. Bricks and Mortar's gutsy victory will likely secure honors.

1. Maximum Security loses the Kentucky Derby via disqualification

While the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) remains a subject of intense debate among racing fans and industry insiders, it’s safe to say no single race provided the sport with a greater dose of publicity than this Derby. The controversial disqualification of Maximum Security for interference on the far turn went viral. The race replay quickly became one of the top trending videos on YouTube, and even President Donald Trump tweeted his thoughts on the outcome. Regardless of whether you agreed or disagreed with the disqualification decision, the Kentucky Derby had everyone analyzing a horse race.