Improbable Takes the Lead in NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

A third straight grade 1 victory has put Improbable in the driver's seat of the handicap ranks heading into the Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as the son of City Zip takes over the lead in this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Improbable moved to the forefront of the race for divisional honors when he captured the Sept. 26 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) by 4 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita Park. Stablemate and champion Maximum Security finished second in the Awesome Again Stakes, halting a six-race win streak. He dropped to second overall in the poll. 

Authentic, also trained by Baffert, continues to head up the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll ahead of his expected run in the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Improbable    354 (28)

2. Maximum Security    277 (3)

3. Vekoma    246 (3)

4. Tom's d'Etat    228 (2)

5. Monomoy Girl    195 (1)

6. By My Standards    153

7. Midnight Bisou    139

8. Tiz the Law    108

9. Authentic    99

10. Rushing Fall    71

NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Authentic    356 (23)

2. Tiz the Law    347 (14)

3. Art Collector    269

4. Swiss Skydiver    176

5. Honor A. P.     162

6. Thousand Words    149

7. Shedaresthedevil    116

8. Max Player    96

9. Gamine    90

10. Mr. Big News    62