Charlatan Moves to Top Spot in NTRA Poll

Though he was caught in late stretch en route to finishing second in the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 20, Charlatan's game effort against international competition was enough for the son of Speightstown  to garner favor among voters, who moved the colt into the No. 1 spot on this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll. 

Trained by Bob Baffert, Charlatan finished a length behind Mishriff in the Saudi Cup—the first time in five career starts that the chestnut colt had not crossed the wire in front. That outing earned Charlatan 25 first-place votes and 353 points to move him up one spot on the poll.

There were no positional changes in this week's NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll as champion juvenile male Essential Quality remains the clear leader with 26 first-place votes and 345 points.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Charlatan    353 (25)

2. Knicks Go    288 (1)

3. Maxfield    265 (5)

4. Monomoy Girl    264 (6)

5. Swiss Skydiver    160

6. Colonel Liam    156

7. Gamine    93

8. Jesus' Team    92

9. Channel Maker    73

10. Whitmore    55

NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Essential Quality    345 (26)

2. Life Is Good    295 (5)

3. Mandaloun    238 (4)

4. Greatest Honour    225 (1)

5. Medina Spirit    188

6. Caddo River    165 (1)

7. Concert Tour    101

8. Keepmeinmind    81

9. Jackie's Warrior    70

10.  Risk Taking    65