America's Best Thoroughbreds for Sept. 8
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Liam's Map made a huge jump from eigth to fourth after his Woodward Stake victory. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire unless noted)
Each week, through the NTRA’s Top Thoroughbred Poll, media members around the country vote on the top racehorses in the nation and give readers a sneak peak at who they are impressed with as top contenders in the road to the Breeders’ Cup. Get to know the horses they have named the top in the nation below and vote for your favorites on America's Best Racing's Fan Poll.
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AMERICA'S TOP THOROUGHBREDS
No. 1: American Pharoah (42 first place votes)
Photo by NYRA/Coglinese Photos
Owner: Zayat Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
2015 stats: 7 starts, 6 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Previous Race: 2nd, Travers Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 29
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 2: Beholder
Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Age/Gender: 5/Mare
2015 stats: 3 starts, 3 wins, 0 second, 0 third
Previous Race: 1st, Pacific Classic, Aug. 22, Del Mar
Possible next race: Zenyatta Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26
No. 3: Honor Code (2 first place vote)
Owner: Lane's End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Age/Gender: 4/Ridgling
2015 stats: 4 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Whitney, Saratoga, Aug 2
Possible next race: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Oct. 3 or Kelso, Belmont Park, Oct. 3
No. 4: Liam's Map
Owner: Teresa Viola Racing Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Mike Smith
Age/Gender: 4/Colt
2015 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 third
Previous Race: 1st, Woodward Stakes, Saratoga, Sept. 5
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31 or Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 5: Private Zone
Owner: Good Friends Stable
Trainer: Jorge Navarro
Jockey: Martin Pedroza
Age/Gender: 6/Gelding
2015 stats: 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Previous Race: 1st, Forego, Saratoga, August 29
Possible next race: Vosburg, Belmont Park, Sept. 26
No. 6: Shared Belief
Photo by Benoit Photo
Owner: Jungle Racing LLC, KMN Racing LLC, Hollendorfer, Litt, Solis II and Todaro
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Jockey: Mike Smith
Age/Gender: 4/Gelding
2015 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous Race: DNF, Charles Town Classic, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, April 1
Possible next race: TBD
No. 7: Keen Ice
Owner: Donegal Racing
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Age/Gender: 3/Colt
2015 stats: 7 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Travers Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 29
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 8: Lady Eli
Owner: Sheep Pond Partners
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Age/Gender: 3/Filly
2015 stats: 3 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Belmont Oaks, Belmont Park, July 4
Possible next race: TBD
No. 9: Flintshire
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Jockey: Vincemt Cheminaud
Age/Gender: 5/Horse
2015 stats: 5 starts, 1 win, 3 seconds, 1 third
Previous Race: 1st, Sword Dancer, Saratoga, Aug. 29
Possible next race: Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Oct. 4
No. 10: Tonalist
Owner: Robert Evans
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Jockey: Joe Bravo
Age/Gender: 4/Colt
2015 stats: 4 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third
Previous Race: 3rd, Whitney, Saratoga, Aug 2
Possible next race: Woodward Stakes, Saratoga, Sept. 5 or Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Oct. 3