From a National Thoroughbred Racing Association release

Louisiana Derby (G2) winner International Star and Florida Derby (G1) winner Materiality moved into fourth and fifth, respectively, in the latest NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll, results of which were released today. The horses holding the top three spots did not race last weekend and remain unchanged with San Felipe Stakes (G2) winner Dortmund in first with 451 points and 23 first-place votes, followed by last year’s Eclipse Award winner as Champion 2-Year-Old Male and Rebel Stakes (G2) hero American Pharoah (436 points, 18 first-place votes) in second and Tampa Bay Derby winner Carpe Diem in third (328, 4).

Eligible media cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. The NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll is conducted weekly through the Monday following the Belmont Stakes.

The Louisiana Derby triumph by International Star (283, 2) on Saturday capped a sweep of the major 3-year-old stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, which also include the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and the Risen Star Stakes (G2). The son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus was seventh in the previous week’s Top 3-Year-Old Poll.

A convincing win by undefeated Materiality (264, 1) in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park landed the Afleet Alex colt in the top 10 for the first time. Materiality entered the race off impressive wins in his first two starts at Gulfstream in a maiden race and a minor stakes event.

Several members of the media attempted to vote for Saturday’s UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij, who is ineligible for the poll without a North American start. Those votes were disallowed and offending voters were extended an opportunity to recast their ballots.

Meanwhile, California Chrome, second in Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup, moved to second behind Shared Belief in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll open to horses of all ages. California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, garnered 389 points to creep up one spot, ahead of 2014 Champion Older Horse and Champion Turf Horse Main Sequence (267 points), who finished off the board in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic on the Dubai World Cup undercard.

Shared Belief once again was the unanimous leader in the Top Thoroughbred poll with 49 first-place votes, good for 490 points. The 4-year-old gelding was a dominant winner of his most recent start in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Scored following the same points system as the Top 3-Year-Old Poll, the Top Thoroughbred Poll is conducted weekly through the Monday following the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

[columns] [column width=”one-half”]

NTRA TOP THOROUGHBRED POLL

  1. Shared Belief
  2. California Chrome
  3. Main Sequence
  4. Honor Code
  5. Constitution
  6. Lea
  7. Bayern
  8. Dortmund
  9. Secret Circle
  10. Wise Dan[/column]
[column width=”one-half”]

NTRA TOP 3-YEAR-OLD POLL

  1. Dortmund
  2. American Pharoah
  3. Carpe Diem
  4. International Star
  5. Materiality
  6. Firing Line
  7. Upstart
  8. El Kabeir
  9. Far From Over
  10. Prospect Park[/column]
[/columns]

Note: The Racing Biz writers Nick Hahn and Frank Vespe are voters in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll.