Virginia-breds ranked as the top horses bred in the mid-Atlantic among both three year-olds and older horses in today’s first-ever Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll.
Grade 2 Jerome winner Noble Moon was the narrow choice as top three year-old. He amassed 36 points, three more than now-retired filly Gracer, and he received four first-place votes, one more than Gracer. Kitten’s Joy Stakes winner Storming Inti was third.
Noble Moon was bred in Virginia by the estate of Edward P. Evans. He is a son of Malibu Moon out of the winning Kingmambo mare Mambo Bell. He has two wins from three career starts, and, in addition to his Jerome victory, he finished third in the Grade 2 Nashua.
Among older horses, Blueskiesnrainbows was the clear choice, with 41 points, 10 more than runner-up Falling Sky, winner of the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes. Blueskiesnrainbows was named first or second on every ballot. Delaunay, first and second in a pair of Fair Grounds stakes this year, was third,
Second in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Marathon, Blueskiesnrainbows subsequently won the Grade 3 Native Diver before kicking off 2014 with a win in the Grade 2 San Pasqual. In the Grade 2 San Antonio, he and Game On Dude engaged in a wicked speed duel before both faded, Blueskiesnrainbows to sixth. By English Channel out of the Deputy Minister mare Cho Cho San, he was bred in Virginia by Edward P. Evans.
Overall, six of the top 10 horses were bred in Pennsylvania. Two each were bred in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
“We are excited to partner with our friends at Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred in this effort to identify and celebrate the top horses bred in the mid-Atlantic region,” said The Racing Biz founder Frank Vespe. “We look forward to an exciting year of following the region’s best horses.”
The poll is organized by Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, the only monthly magazine dedicated to the Thoroughbred industry in the region, and The Racing Biz, a website that is the independent voice for mid-Atlantic racing and breeding. Expected to be semi-monthly, the initial poll included a dozen expert voters from around the mid-Atlantic, both media members and people who work in racing.
Horses that have run in 2014 and were bred in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and the Carolinas were eligible.
POLL RESULTS
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED THREE YEAR-OLDS
- Noble Moon (36) — Virginia
- Gracer (33) — Pennsylvania
- Storming Inti (26) — Pennsylvania
- Steady N Love (11) — Maryland
- On the Backstreets (7) — Pennsyvlania
Others receiving votes: Just Call Kenny, Exit Stage left, Extrasexyhippzster, Joint Custody, Thank You Marylou, Seeking Her Glory
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED FOUR YEARS OLD AND UP
- Blueskiesnrainbows (41) — Virginia
- Falling Sky (31) — Pennsylvania
- Delaunay (25) — Maryland
- Bold Curlin (13) — Pennsylvania
- Kitten’s Point (13) — Pennsylvania
Others receiving votes: Emotional Kitten, Ilikecandy, Action Andy, Service for Ten, Emotional Run, Zeewat
Participating Voters: Ted Black (freelance writer), Michael Campbell (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey), Cindy Deubler (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Debbie Easter (Virginia Thoroughbred Association), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Nick Hahn (freelance), Jeff Nations (freelance), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), John Scheinman (freelance), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance).
Note — Not all participating voters will vote in every poll.
POLL LEADERS IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND
- Blueskiesnrainbows — G3 Tokyo City Cup Stakes, Santa Anita, 3/29, Race 8
