Essential Quality No. 1 in Final NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll
Image:
Description:
Photo: Skip Dickstein/Tim Lanahan
Essential Quality wins the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park
The winner of the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), and the final No. 1 ranking in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top 3-Year-Old Poll, was on the line in deep stretch June 5 until Essential Quality edged Hot Rod Charlie to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.
As a result, in this year's final Top 3-Year-Old Poll of national media, Godolphin's Essential Quality gained the top spot, earning all 37 first-place votes for a total of 370 points.
Godolphin's 4-year-old Mystic Guide continues atop the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll for older horses, but there was a shake-up in the rankings after him. Winner of the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), Mystic Guide received 27 first place votes and 337 points.
NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1. Essential Quality 370 (37)
2. Hot Rod Charlie 298
3. Rombauer 282
4. Mandaloun 227
5. Malathaat 177
6. Medina Spirit 164
7. Midnight Bourbon 147
8. Search Results 74
9. Drain the Clock 66
10. Life Is Good 48
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)
1. Mystic Guide 337 (27)
2. Silver State 242 (1)
3. Letruska 240
4. Domestic Spending 234 (6)
5. Charlatan 161
6. Maxfield 134 (1)
7. Monomoy Girl 131
8. Gamine 121 (1)
9. Essential Quality 118 (1)
10. Knicks Go 49