TOP MIDLANTIC-BREDS

1. Just One Time (PA), 4F by Not this Time-Ida Clark, by Speightstown; bred by Warrior’s Reward LLC and trained by Brad Cox for Warrior’s Reward LLC and Commonwealth New Era Racing. 2022 highlights: Won G1 Madison S., G2 Inside Information S., 3rd G1 Derby City Distaff. Previous poll: 1
2. Caravel (PA), 5M by Mizzen Mast-Zeezee Zoomzoom, by Congrats; bred by Elizabeth Merryman and trained by Brad Cox for Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables LLC. 2022 highlights: Won G3 Intercontinental, Smart N Fancy S., Queen S. Previous poll: Also receiving votes
3. Fille d’Esprit (MD), 6M by Great Notion-Sweet Valor, by No Armistice; bred by Sweet Spirits Stables LLC and trained by John Robb for C J I Phoenix Group and No Guts No Glory Farm. 2022 highlights: Won Seeking the Pearl S., Susquehanna Valley S., Conniver S., 3rd G3 Barbara Fritchie. Previous poll: NA
4. Luna Belle (MD), 3F by Great Notion-Heavenly Moon, by Mojave Moon; bred by Fred Greene Jr., Deborah Greene and Hamilton Smith and trained by Hamilton Smith for Deborah Greene and Hamilton Smith. 2022 highlights: Won Xtra Heat S., Wide Country S., Beyond the Wire S., Weber City Miss S. Previous poll: 1 (3yo only)
5. Aloha West (MD), 5H by Hard Spun-Island Bound, by Speightstown; bred by Robert Manfuso and Katharine Voss and trained by Wayne Catalano for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. 2022 highlights: Won Kelly’s Landing Overnight S., 3rd G1 Churchill Downs S. Previous poll: 3
6. Knicks Go (MD), 6H by Paynter-Kosmo’s Buddy, by Outflanker; bred by Angie Moore and trained by Brad Cox for Korea Racing Authority. 2022 highlights: 2nd G1 Pegasus World Cup. Previous poll: 5
7. Leader of the Band (PA), 4F by Bandbox-Catsuit, by Sire Cat; bred by SMD Ltd. and trained by John Servis for SMD Ltd.. 2022 highlights: Won Summer Colony S., Lady’s Secret S., 2nd G3 Molly Pitcher S. Previous poll: NA

Also receiving votes: Field Pass, Muad’dib, Alottahope, Green Up, Fortheluvofbourbon, Witty, La Castiglione, Divine Huntress, Cordmaker, Cinnabunny, Whereshetoldmetogo, Jaxon Traveler, Chub Wagon, Bramble Bay

Note: All horses listed at their 2022 ages.

OLD HAT Just One Time, winner of the Grade 1 Madison in April, has ranked first in every poll this year.

WHO’S NEW Caravel, Fille d’Esprit, and Leader of the Band all are new to the top ranks, with the latter two not even in the “also receiving votes” category in the most recent poll.

COMMON FACTOR: Two of the three newcomers, Caravel, in the Intercontinental, and Leader of the Band, in the Summer Colony, earned stakes victories in Saratoga between the last poll and now.

MAKING THE GRADE Each of the top seven, with one exception, has won or placed in a graded stake. The lone exception, Luna Belle, caught people’s attention by winning five consecutive stakes bridging last year and this.

IDLE HANDS Err, hooves. Several here don’t have much recent form of note. Leader Just One Time hasn’t raced since May 7. Luna Belle hasn’t run since May 20, though she is well into training for a return to action. Aloha West hasn’t raced since July 2. And Knicks Go has been retired.

STATES AND SEX Four of the top seven were bred in Maryland, while three, including the top pair, were bred in Pennsylvania. Five of the top seven are females.

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 2022 and were bred in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas.

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), Chris Sobocinski (Delaware Park), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Lydia Williams (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).