Lukas Classic Win Keeps Knicks Go on Top in NTRA Poll

Knicks Go, Letruska, and Essential Quality retained the top three spots, respectively, in this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll while Medina Spirit  (seventh) and Art Collector  (eighth) moved into the top 10 following impressive victories in their final tune-ups for the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar. 

Korea Racing Authority's 5-year-old Knicks Go, who galloped to victory in the Oct. 2 Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs, retained his No. 1 rating in the poll for the ninth straight week. Trained by Brad Cox, Knicks Go is expected to make his next start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 6. 

St. George Stable's 5-year-old mare Letruska, who is expected to make her next start the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) Oct. 10 at Keeneland, remains in second place in this week's poll. Letruska is a leading contender for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 6. 

Godolphin's 3-year-old Essential Quality , also trained by Cox and winner of the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), remained in third place in the weekly poll. Essential Quality is expected to face older horses for the first time in the Classic.

Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit and Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector join the top 10 after respective victories in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park and the Woodward Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

Rank, Horse, Points (first-place votes)

1. Knicks Go    323 (22)

2. Letruska    286 (6)

3. Essential Quality    283 (6)

4. Jackie's Warrior     137

5. Hot Rod Charlie     128

6. Gamine     124

7. Medina Spirit    121

8. Art Collector    92

9. Max Player     80

10. Domestic Spending     65