NTRA polls: Quiet before the storm

Photo of California Chrome by Laurie Asseo.

From a National Thoroughbred Racing Association release

As the racing world turns its attention to the crop of three-year-old Kentucky Derby 142 hopefuls putting in their final works before the Run for the Roses this Saturday, May 7, the results of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top 3-Year-Old Poll remain largely dormant in the overall top 10 in Week 9.

Nyquist, last year’s Champion Two-Year-Old with (33 first-place votes, 374 points) overall and winner of the Florida Derby (G1) on April 2, remains in first place.

Newly elected into the Museum of Racing Hall of Fame 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, 230 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 (133) is ranked eighth after his last to first 1 ¼-length victory at Oaklawn Park.

Rounding out the top-ten are: Exaggerator (280) Songbird ( 3 place votes and 246 points); Brody’s Cause (175); Mohaymen (173); Mor Spirit (127); Destin ( 1 first-place vote, 101 points); and Outwork (100).

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 ninth straight week with (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 is: Beholder (197); Nyquist (158); Songbird (1 first-place vote and 177 points); Effinex (169) Hoppertunity (137); Melatonin (90); Mshawish (74) and Runhappy (56).