Nadal Takes Over in NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll
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Photo: Coady Photography
Nadal wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park
Nadal's victory in the second division of the May 2 Arkansas Derby (G1) kept him flawless in four lifetime starts and earned the son of Blame favoritism among voters in this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top 3-Year-Old Poll.
On the strength of his three-length victory in the Arkansas Derby—which was split into two divisions to accommodate the overflow of entries—Nadal was able to overtake fellow grade 1 winner Tiz the Law for the lead in this week's poll, earning 19 first-place votes and 401 points. Tiz the Law, who most recently triumphed in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1), also earned 19 first-place votes but had 387 total points to drop one spot to second.
Charlatan, who won the first division of the Arkansas Derby just over an hour before his stablemate prevailed in the second edition, earned four first-place votes and 355 points to move up to third overall, just ahead of fellow unbeaten barn mate Authentic (one first-place vote, 308 points).
While champion Midnight Bisou continues to lead the pack in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll with 32 first-place votes and 416 points, multiple graded stakes-winner By My Standards surged into the top three on the heels of his victory in the May 2 Oaklawn Handicap (G2). By My Standards notched three first-place votes and 307 points to move up to the third position, just behind Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Sponsored by Runhappy (G1) winner Mucho Gusto (334 points).
NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1. Nadal 401 (19)
2. Tiz the Law 387 (19)
3. Charlatan 355 (4)
4. Authentic 308 (1)
5. King Guillermo 197
6. Honor A. P. 166
7. Sole Volante 116
8. Ete Indien 111
9. Maxfield 76
10. Basin 65
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1. Midnight Bisou 416 (32)
2. Mucho Gusto 334
3. By My Standards 307 (3)
4. Zulu Alpha 218 (1)
5. Ce Ce 202
6. Tom's d'Etat 134
7. Maximum Security 132 (7)
8. Whitmore 99
9. Mr Freeze 84
10. Code of Honor 57