Bricks and Mortar Clear Leader in Final NTRA Poll
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Bricks and Mortar after winning the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park
After capping off his unblemished season with a victory in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, Bricks and Mortar was an emphatic choice to hold the No. 1 position in the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll of 2019.
Trained by Chad Brown for owners William Lawrence and Klaravich Stables, Bricks and Mortar defeated United by a head in the Turf on Nov. 2 to complete a brilliant 6-for-6 campaign that featured five grade 1 triumphs. That effort all but cemented the son of Giant's Causeway as the favorite to earn Horse of the Year honors.
Bricks and Mortar has held the top position in the poll since April 8. His Breeders' Cup outing marked his final career start before heading to Japan to stand stud at Shadai Stallion Station.
"He certainly has been leading the poll since April, and I think winning today, showing the heart that he showed, he's certainly our Horse of the Year," Lawrence said after the Turf. "And hopefully he'll be the voters'."
The full results for the NTRA Thoroughbred Poll can be found on the NTRA website, along with full accounting of top 10 votes by voter.
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1 Bricks and Mortar 438 (42)
2 Mitole 388 (2)
3 Vino Rosso 332
4 Midnight Bisou 297
5T McKinzie 157
5T Sistercharlie 157
7 Uni 151
8 Covfefe 109
9 Blue Prize 102
10 Maximum Security 90