Quiet Week in NTRA Polls as Voters Look Ahead to Dubai
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Photo: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Erika Rasmussen
Rider Junior Alvarado salutes the crowd after Senor Buscador's breakthrough win in the Saudi Cup (G1)
There were few changes in this week's National Thoroughbred Association top Thoroughbred poll or for their 3-year-old counterparts.
The top Thoroughbred Poll tracks NTRA voter opinion on Horse of the Year. With no major races for older horses, there was limited movement this week.
Last year's Pacific Classic (G1) winner and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) fourth-place finisher Arabian Knight was the lone new member of the top 10. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt trained by Bob Baffert is reportedly in light training as he tunes up for this 2024 campaign.
The only other upward mover amongst older horses was Newgate , who entered the top 10 at sixth last week following victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Newgate moved up to fourth as voters had another week to weigh that performance alongside news the 4-year-old Into Mischief colt bounced out of the 'Big Cap' well and is being pointed to the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1).
Saudi Cup (G1) hero Senor Buscador easily held on to the top spot, receiving 27 of 32 first-place votes. The stretch-running six-year-old is training in Dubai for the World Cup.
In the 3-year-old poll, there were no changes in the top 10. Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) winner Nysos , undefeated in three starts but ineligible to run the in the Kentucky Derby (G1) because of Baffert's ban at Churchill Downs, remained number one. Sierra Leone and Timberlake rounded out the top three.
See the full NTRA poll for week seven.