Bruton Street-US's Scorpiancer, shown winning the Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1) under wraps with Sean McDermott, headed the 2017 Theoretical Handicap at 158 pounds. (Tod Marks photo)
Bruton Street-US’s Scorpiancer made only two starts in 2017, but they were sufficiently impressive to earn him the 158-pound highweight in the National Steeplechase Association Theoretical Handicap for 2017.
The Irish-bred eight-year-old trained by Jack Fisher won Middleburg Spring’s Temple Gwathmey (Gr. 3) and the Calvin Houghland Iroquois (Gr. 1), the latter by 16 lengths.
Next on the 2017 list at 148 pounds were the top three finishers in Far Hills’ Grand National (Gr. 1): winner Mr. Hot Stuff, second-place Modem, and third-place All the Way Jose, who were noses apart at the finish. Novice champion Moscato was rated at 146 pounds.
NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo Jr., who created the Theoretical in 1992, evaluated all 29 horses who placed in NSA open and novice stakes races in 2017. Scorpiancer’s rating was four pounds below the 162-pound average of annual highweights. Lonesome Glory set the standard with a 170-pound highweight in 1995, and fellow Racing Hall of Fame members McDynamo and Good Night Shirt were rated at 168.
Here are the Theoretical Handicap ratings of all horses who placed in NSA open and novice stakes race in 2017.
Scorpiancer…………………………………… 158
Mr. Hot Stuff…………………………………. 148
Modem…………………………………………. 148
All the Way Jose……………………………. 148
Moscato………………………………………… 146
Jamarjo…………………………………………. 144
Zanzabeel……………………………………… 144
Hinterland……………………………………… 144
Balance the Budget………………………… 144
Show Court…………………………………… 144
Special Skills…………………………………. 144
Swansea Mile………………………………… 144
Portrade………………………………………… 144
Diplomat……………………………………….. 142
Ice It……………………………………………… 142
New Member………………………………… 142
Charminster…………………………………… 140
My Afleet……………………………………… 140
Schoodic……………………………………….. 140
Andi’amu……………………………………… 140
Mutasaawy……………………………………. 138
Simenon………………………………………… 138
Cul Baire………………………………………. 138
Surprising Soul …………………………….. 138
Macnicholson………………………………… 138
Kensington Court…………………………… 136
Castle Hill…………………………………….. 134
Curve of Stones…………………………….. 130
Willow U………………………………………. 130