Nyquist, California Chrome head NTRA polls

Photo of California Chrome by Laurie Asseo.

From a National Thoroughbred Racing Association release

With the “Road to the Triple Crown” prep races finished and the first jewel, the 142nd Kentucky Derby, just two weeks out, the results of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top 3-Year-Old Poll remain fairly dormant in the overall top 10 in Week 8 as the sophomores train up to the Run for the Roses on May 7.

Nyquist, last year’s Champion Two-Year-Old, remains in first place among three-year-olds following his April 2 Florida Derby (G1) win, with 32 first-place votes and 373 points overall.

Newly elected into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame with the class of 2016 is trainer Steve Asmussen, who has two three-year olds expected to run in the Derby. Gun Runner (1 first-place vote, 247 points) is ranked fourth on the top 10 after winning both the Risen Star (G2) and the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, while Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Creator (137) is ranked seventh after his last to first 1 ¼-length victory at Oaklawn Park.

Rounding out the top-ten are: Exaggerator (265) Songbird (3-place votes and 252 points); Mohaymen (176); Brody’s Cause (160); Mor Spirit (1 first-place vote, 128 points); Destin ( 1 first-place vote, 105 points); and Outwork (102).

The NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll is the sport’s most comprehensive survey of experts ranking the generation of Thoroughbreds that includes all Triple Crown contenders. Every week as many as 50 eligible journalists and broadcasters 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 Three-Year-Old Poll concludes Monday, June 12, following the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

In the Top Thoroughbred Poll, the all-time leading money earner in the U.S., California Chrome, remains on top for the eighth straight week with 379 points and (37 first-place votes, 379 points) after his smashing 3 3/4-length victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (Group 1). With earnings of $12,532,650, California Chrome surpassed 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin, who retired to stud with earnings of $10,501,800.

North American champion turf female Tepin (311) remains second in the rankings for owner Robert Masterson and trainer Mark Casse after her five-length victory in stakes-record time to win the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) for fillies and mares at Keeneland Race Course.

Rounding out the field are: Nyquist (206); Beholder (194); Songbird (1 first-place vote and 170 points); Effinex (162) Hoppertunity (143); Melatonin (85); Mshawish (83) and Runhappy (68).

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll concludes Monday, November 7, following the Breeders’ Cup World Championships which will be held at Santa Anita Race Course, Arcadia, California.