Maxfield Moves Up in NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll
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Photo: Coady Photography
Maxfield wins the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs
Godolphin homebred Maxfield came into his seasonal bow carrying the burdens of high anticipation and lofty expectations upon his dark bay shoulders. After validating both with a one-length victory in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 23, the son of Street Sense took another step forward when he moved up into the fourth position on this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top 3-Year-Old Poll.
The Matt Winn Stakes, which offered points on a scale of 50-20-10-5 toward the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) scheduled for Sept. 5, marked the first start for Maxfield since his statement-making triumph in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last October. The Brendan Walsh-trainee was slated to be among the favorites for the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last November but had to miss the race due to a minor issue in his right front.
Unbeaten Nadal, winner of the second division of the Arkansas Derby (G1) on May 2, continues to hold the top position in the 3-Year-Old poll with 19 first-place votes and 321 points.
There is a new face in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll as the Chad Brown-trained Raging Bull enters the fray in the 10th position on the heels of his victory in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park May 25. Previously unranked, Raging Bull earned 46 points from voters after notching his first win since taking the 2018 Hollywood Derby (G1T).
Champion distaffer Midnight Bisou still holds the lead position with 23 first-place votes and 322 points.
NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1. Nadal 321 (19)
2. Tiz the Law 302 (12)
3. Charlatan 269 (2)
4. Maxfield 228
5. Authentic 226 (1)
6. King Guillermo 140
7. Honor A. P. 114
8. Sole Volante 68
9. Ete Indien 67
10. Basin 34
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1. Midnight Bisou 322 (23)
2. Mucho Gusto 257
3. By My Standards 235 (1)
4. Zulu Alpha 157 (1)
5. Ce Ce 141
6. Maximum Security 127 (7)
7. Tom's d' Etat 115 (1)
8. Monomoy Girl 100
9. Whitmore 50
10. Raging Bull 46