LOL.What more empirical evidence do you need than the fact that Roland Garcia brought second in the Arizona Open and Bader Alawadi brought second in the Wisconsin Open?
Garcia carries a Fargo 797 and is the 27th best player in the world by Fargo. He finished third at the Derby City 9-ball, eliminating Van Boening in the late rounds. You're not trying to suggest that he's a Cinderella, are you? He's a very elite player that came second to Biado at the World 9-ball Championships in 2017.
Bader is another story. He made just one of his four spot shots against Yapp in the semis, and yet Yapp, after making his first spot shot, missed his last three to gift Bader the match. Yes, Bader, still a strong player in the Fargo 750s, who came 9th at the International 9-ball, is a better example of a dark horse.
One dark horse making a deep run is hardly enough to make your point. I need a lot more empirical evidence than what you are offering.