But not far behind the top pair are some horses that were not on the twin, five-horses lists last month.

In third on the list of older horses is Vault. The five-year-old Pennsylvania-bred mare has won her last two starts, including a rallying win by nearly two lengths in the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park May 2. A daughter of Jump Start, she was bred by Barlar LLC, who owns her in partnership with Kueber Racing LLC, Madaket Stables LLC, and Little Red Feather Racing. Brad Cox trains the runner, who is a seven-time winner in her career with more than $400,000 in earnings.

The Virginia-bred Chess Chief, who most recently was third in the Grade 2 Alysheba on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, is second on the list of older horses. Also in the top five are Pegasus World Cup runner-up Largent and two-time stakes winner Boldor.

Among three-year-olds, Street Lute narrowly held down the top spot on a list that includes four Maryland-breds and a Pennsylvania-bred.

Two of the top five sophomores were among those also receiving votes, but not in the top five last month. Those two are Jaxon Traveler and Excellorator, both Maryland-breds.

Jaxon Traveler, a son of Munnings out of the After Market mare Listen Boy, won the Maryland Juvenile Futurity as a two-year-old and last out earned his second stakes win, taking the Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park. He was bred by Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Pineau and is trained by Steve Asmussen for West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner.

Also new to the top five is Excellorator. The Orb colt was first past the post last out in the Federico Tesio Stakes but disqualified for impeding a rival and placed second. Hugh McMahon trains him for Philmor Racing Stable. He was bred by CRK Stable, LLC.

Seven of the 10 horses on the two lists are males, with with three females. Five were bred in Maryland, with three bred in Virginia and two in Pennsylvania. Regional stallions on the list include Jump Start (Vault), Street Magician (Street Lute), and Bullsbay (Maythehorsebwithu).

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 conducted of media members and others involved in the Thoroughbred industry and restricted to horses that have run in 2021 and were bred in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas.

TOP OLDER MIDLANTIC-BREDS

1. Knicks Go (MD), 5H by Paynter-Kosmo’s Buddy, by Outflanker; bred by Angie Moore and trained by Brad Cox for Korea Racing Authority. 2021 highlights: Won G1 Pegasus World Cup. Last month: 1
2. Chess Chief (VA), 5H by Into Mischief-Un Blessed, by Mineshaft; bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm and trained by Dallas Stewart for Estate of James Coleman, Jr.. 2021 highlights: Won G2 New Orleans Classic, 3rd G2 Alysheba, 3rd G3 Mineshaft. Last month: 2
3. Vault (PA), 5M by Jump Start-Di’s Delight, by French Deputy; bred by Barlar LLC and trained by Brad Cox for Kueber Racing, LLC, Barlar LLC, Madaket Stables LLC and Little Red Feather Racing. 2021 highlights: Won G2 Ruffian. Last month: NA
4. Largent (VA), 5G by Into Mischief-Life in Seattle, by Unbridled; bred by Lazy Lane Farms LLC and trained by Todd Pletcher for Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. 2021 highlights: 2nd G1 Pegasus World Cup. Last month: 3
5. Boldor (VA), 5G by Munnings-Senate Caucus, by Siphon; bred by Carlos S. E. Moore and Gillian Gordon-Moore and trained by Steve Asmussen for Ed Orr and Susie Orr. 2021 highlights: Won Sam’s Town S., King Cotton S. Last month: 4

Also receiving votes: Chub Wagon, Laki, Horologist, V. I. P. Ticket, Pete’s Play Call, Attachment Rate, The Critical Way, Cordmaker

TOP 3yo MIDLANTIC-BREDS

1. Street Lute (MD), 3F by Street Magician-Alottalute, by Midnight Lute; bred by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman & Dr. Brooke Bowman and trained by John Robb for Lucky 7 Stables. 2021 highlights: Won Xtra Heat S., Wide Country S. Last month: 1
2. Jaxon Traveler (MD), 3C by Munnings-Listen Boy, by After Market; bred by Dr. & Mrs. A. Leonard Pineau and trained by Steve Asmussen for West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner. 2021 highlights: Won Bachelor Stakes. Last month: Also receiving votes.
3. I Get It (MD), 3F by Get Stormy-Twisted Beauty, by General Quarters; bred by Flying H Stables LLC and trained by Ronald Spatz for Gary Barber. 2021 highlights: Won Sanibel Island S., 3rd G3 Herecomesthebride S. Last month: 3
4. Maythehorsebwithu (PA), 3G by Bullsbay-Avani Force, by Forestry; bred by Beatrice Patterson & Vicky Schowe and trained by Brittany Russell for Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables LLC. 2021 highlights: Won Miracle Wood S. Last month: 2
5. Excellerator (MD), 3C by Orb-Red Velvet, by City Zip; bred by CRK Stable, LLC and trained by Hugh McMahon for Philmor Racing Stable LLC. 2021 highlights: 2nd Federico Tesio S. Last month: Also receiving votes.

Also receiving votes: Hello Hot Rod, Door Buster, Shackled Love, Extrasexybigdaddee, Too Boss, Royal Number

Note: All horses listed at their 2021 ages.

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), Sara Gordon (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).