Knicks Go, a son of Paynter, has a spotless three-for-three record thus far in 2020 and won a pair of allowance races prior to his 3 ½-length triumph in the Dirt Mile. In each of his last two starts – a 1 1/16-mile allowance and then the Dirt Mile – Knicks Go set a Keeneland track record for the distance.

In October, his allowance win came in 1:40.79 to set the track record for 8.5 furlongs. And his November Dirt Mile win came in 1:33.85, the fastest recorded at that distance at Keeneland.

Knicks Go, out of the Outflanker mare Kosmo’s Buddy, was bred in Maryland by Angie Moore. He is trained by Brad Cox for owners Korea Racing Authority.

Sharing, the Top Midlantic-bred of 2019, is second in this poll. She’s won two of her three starts this year, including a score in the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs in September. She also was the runner-up in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but missed this year’s Breeders’ Cup while dealing with a minor foot issue.

Also a Maryland-bred, Sharing is a daughter of Speightstown who’s trained by Graham Motion for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stable. She was bred by Sagamore Farm.

The top pair are among a remarkable seven, of the top 10, who were bred in Maryland. That list also includes Grade 3 Pimlico Special winner Harper’s First Ride, who’s third, and three-time Grade 3 winner Field Pass, who’s fourth.

Other Maryland-breds on the top 10 are Laki (sixth), Monday Morning Qb (seventh), and Fiya (ninth).

The top runner not bred in Maryland is Horologist. The New Jersey-bred is fifth on the list. A daughter of Gemologist, she owns a pair of graded victories thus far in 2020, with her top win having come in the Grade 2 Beldame in October at Belmont Park.

Trained by Bill Mott, Horologist was bred in the Garden State by Holly Crest Farm and is owned by a partnership that includes There’s A Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing LLC, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farms Corp., and David Staudacher. She most recently finished ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Other runners not bred in Maryland include the New Jersey-bred juvenile Pickin’ Time and the Pennsylvania-bred filly Madam Meena.

Seven of the top 10 are males, and three are females.

TOP MIDLANTIC-BREDS

1. Knicks Go (MD) — Four-year-old colt by Paynter-Kosmo’s Buddy, by Outflanker. Trained by Brad Cox for Korea Racing Authority. Bred in Maryland by Angie Moore. Key 2020 wins: Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
2. Sharing (MD) — Three-year-old filly by Speightstown-Shared Account, by Pleasantly Perfect. Trained by Graham Motion for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stable. Bred in Maryland by Sagamore Farm. Key 2020 wins: Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes, Tepin Stakes
3. Harper’s First Ride (MD) –Four-year-old gelding by Paynter-Polyester, by Tiz Wonderful. Trained by Claudio Gonzalez for MCA Racing Stable LLC. Bred in Maryland by Sagamore Farm. Key 2020 wins: Grade 3 Pimlico Special, Deputed Testamony Stakes.
4. Field Pass (MD) –Three-year-old colt by Lemon Drop Kid-Only Me, by Runaway Groom. Trained by Mike Maker for Three Diamonds Farm. Bred in Maryland by Mark Brown Grier. Key 2020 wins: Grade 3 Ontario Derby, Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes, Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks.
5. Horologist (NJ) — Four-year-old filly by Gemologist-Cinderella Time, by Stephen Got Even. Trained by Bill Mott for There’s A Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing LLC, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farms Corp., and David Staudacher. Bred in New Jersey by Holly Crest Farm. Key 2020 wins: Grade 2 Beldame Stakes, Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes.
6. Laki (MD) — Seven-year-old gelding by Cuba-Truthful Dutch, by Swear by Dixie. Trained by Damon Dilodovico for Hillside Equestrian Meadows. Bred in Maryland by Tom Michaels and Lorna Baker. Key 2020 wins: Grade 3 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, Oceanport Centennial Stakes.
7. Monday Morning Qb (MD) — Three-year-old colt by Imagining-How My Heart Works, by Not for Love. Trained by Butch Reid for Cash Is King LLC and LC Racing LLC. Bred in Maryland by Bowman & HIggins Stable and Cary Frommer. Key 2020 wins: Maryland Million Classic.
8. Pickin’ Time (NJ) — Two-year-old colt by Stay Thirsty-Born to Royalty, by King of Kings. Trained by Kelly Breen for John Bowers, Jr. Bred in New Jersey by John Bowers, Jr. Key 2020 wins: Grade 3 Nashua Stakes, Smoke Glacken Stakes.
9. Fiya (MD) –Three-year-old gelding by Friesan Fire-Sista, by Two Punch. Trained by Tom Albertrani for Robert Masiello. Bred in Maryland by Ann Merryman. Key 2020 wins: Maryland Million Turf Sprint Handicap.
10. Madam Meena (PA) — Three-year-old filly by Include-Good Tidings, by Came Home. Trained by Jamie Ness for Michael R. Cox. Bred in Pennsylvania by Michael R. Cox. Key 2020 wins: Tax-Free Shopping Distaff Stakes.

Also receiving votes: Hello Beautiful, Street Lute, Dr. Feelgood, Project Whiskey, Attachment Rate, Wait for It, Top Line Growth, Majestic Reason, Double Crown, Star of Night, Caravel, Never Enough Time, Jakarta, After Five, Bronx Beauty, Eastern Bay, Its a Journey, Still Having Fun, Anna’s Bandit, Penguin Power, Artful Splatter

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), Paul Espinosa (Charles Town Races), Rich Glazier (Delaware Park), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Jim Hague (freelance), Nick Hahn (freelance), Carol Holden (West Virginia Breeders Classics), Tom LaMarra (Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Jeff Nations (freelance), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), John Piassek (freelance), Gary Quill (The Racing Biz), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Brian Sanfratello (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), Sal Sinatra (Maryland Jockey Club), Chris Sobocinski (Delaware Park), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Lydia Williams (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).