America's Best Thoroughbreds for Oct. 12
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American Pharoah preparing for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 12. (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.
Don't forget to share your own Poll on Facebook and Twitter!
AMERICA'S TOP THOROUGHBREDS
No. 1: American Pharoah (38 first place votes)
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 (1 first place vote)
Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Age/Gender: 5/Mare
2015 stats: 5 starts, 5 wins, 0 second, 0 third
Previous Race: 1st, Zenyatta Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 3: Honor Code (1 first place votes)
Photo by Penelope P. Miller
Owner: Lane's End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Age/Gender: 4/Ridgling
2015 stats: 5 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 thirds
Previous race: 3rd, Kelso, Belmont Park, Oct. 3
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 4: Liam's Map
Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog
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 Dirt Mile, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 5: Tonalist
Owner: Robert Evans
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Jockey: John Velazquez
Age/Gender: 4/Colt
2015 stats: 5 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
Previous Race: 1st, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Oct. 3
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 6: 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: Breeders' Cup Sprint, Keeneland, Oct. 31
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: Flintshire
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Jockey: Vincemt Cheminaud
Age/Gender: 5/Horse
2015 stats: 6 starts, 1 win, 4 seconds, 1 third
Previous Race: 2nd, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Oct. 4
Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Turf, Keeneland, Oct. 31
No. 9: 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. 10: 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