Vekoma Moves Into Top Three of NTRA Poll

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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Vekoma wins the Met Mile at Belmont Park

After earning his third straight victory and second consecutive grade 1 triumph when he captured the July 4 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Vekoma left no doubt he was among the elite handicap horses in the country. The George Weaver-trainee had that status further validated as he earned two first-place votes and 302 points to move up to third overall in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Vekoma's presence was the only major shift near the top as champion Midnight Bisou continues to reign with 24 first-place votes and 375 points.

Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner Tiz the Law stays in command of the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll for yet another week, earning 39 first-place votes and 399 points. He is sixth in the Top Thoroughbred Poll with two first-place votes and 130 points.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Midnight Bisou    375 (24)

2. Tom's d'Etat    333 (8)

3. Vekoma    302 (2)

4. Mucho Gusto    171

5. By My Standards    157

6. Tiz the Law    130 (2)

7. Code of Honor    123 (1)

8. Zulu Alpha    99

9. Maximum Security    98 (3)

10. Instilled Regard    65

NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Tiz the Law    399 (39)

2. Honor A. P.    358 (1)

3. Authentic    260

4. Dr Post    211

5. King Guillermo    188

6. Uncle Chuck    135

7. Gamine    134

8. Max Player    82

9. Charlatan    81

10. Swiss Skydiver    67