Stellar Wind rules Top Midlantic-bred Poll
Stellar Wind broke her maiden at Laurel Park. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.
Staff report
For the first time in 2016, the two lists of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll are combined into a single list that can includes two-year-olds, three-year-olds, and older horses. It also brings together the two horses that have sat atop their lists for much of the year, three-year-old Cathryn Sophia and four-year-old Stellar Wind.
Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll
- Stellar Wind (VA) — Two straight wins in G1 events over champion Beholder make her the cream of the crop.
- Cathryn Sophia (MD) — Dusted in the G1 Cotillion, which only goes to show you that this Maryland-bred, like just about every other horse in training, is no Songbird; she has won 3 graded events, including G1 Kentucky Oaks
- Tom’s Ready (PA) — Owns wins in the G2 Woody Stephens and, last out, G3 Ack Ack, the latter over last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint champ Runhappy
- Page McKenney (PA) — Likely out for the remainder of the season with injury; earned best result winning G3 General George in Februrary
- Al’s Gal (PA) — 5yo mare has two stakes wins, including Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon last out, to go with three graded placings this year, including second in G1 Beverly D
- Giant Run (MD) — Giant’s Causeway colt has three stakes wins on the season, including win last out in the Centaur, plus two graded placings
- Illuminant (PA) — Has not raced since winning the G1 Gamely in May
Others receiving votes: Finest City, Valid, Mor Spirit, Aye a Song, Admirals War Chest, Spelling Again, Stiffed, Jack’s in the Deck, Lucy N Ethel, Ben’s Cat, Bullets Fever, Queen Caroline, Rose Brier, In the Fairway
Four of the top seven horses were bred in Pennsylvania. Two were bred in Maryland, and one was bred in Pennsylvania. The list includes four females and three males.
The monthly Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred is the only publication devoted to Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Racing Biz, an online publication, is the independent voice for mid-Atlantic racing and breeding.
The poll is restricted to horses that have run in 2016 and were bred in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas.
- Stellar Wind — Curlin-Evening Star, by Malibu Moon; bred by Keswick Stables & Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, owned by Hronis Racing, LLC, and trained by John Sadler
- Cathryn Sophia — Street Boss-Sheave, by Mineshaft; bred by Robert Manfuso, owned by Cash Is King LLC, and trained by John Servis
- Tom’s Ready — More Than Ready-Goodbye Stranger, by Broad Brush; bred by Blackstone Farm LLC, owned by G M B Racing, and trained by Dallas Stewart
- Page McKenney — Eavesdropper-Winning Grace, by Yarrow Brae; bred by Dr. James E. Bryant & Linda P. Davis, owned by Adam Staple and Jalin Stable, and trained by Mary Eppler
- Al’s Gal — English Channel-Dans La Ville, by Winning; bred by Malone Racing LLC, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, and trained by Mike Maker
- Giant Run — Giant’s Causeway-Who Did It and Run, by Polish Numbers; bred by Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds LLC, owned by Robert Baker and William Mack, and trained by Tom Albertrani
- Illuminant — Quality Road-Sparkling Number, by Polish Numbers; bred by Sycamore Hall Farm LLC, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and trained by Michael McCarthy
Participating Voters: Ted Black (freelance writer), Michael Campbell (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey), Joe Clancy (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Cindy Deubler (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Linda Dougherty (freelance), Debbie Easter (Virginia Thoroughbred Association), Anne Frederick (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Rich Glazier (Delaware Park), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Jim Hague (freelance), Nick Hahn (freelance), Carol Holden (West Virginia Breeders Classics), Tom LaMarra (The Blood-Horse), Jeff Nations (freelance), Kate Painter (West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), Gary Quill (The Racing Biz), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Brian Sanfratello (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), John Scheinman (freelance), Sal Sinatra (Maryland Jockey Club), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Lydia Williams (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).
Note — Not all participating voters will vote in every poll.
