Gun Runner Tops Year's Final NTRA Poll
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Gun Runner Nov. 5 at Del Mar, the day after his Breeders' Cup Classic victory
With the conclusion of the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar, the votes have been tabulated in the year's final NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, results of which were released Nov. 6.
Gun Runner who took first place from Arrogate in the poll 11 weeks ago, takes top honors after his dominating performance in winning the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and owners Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm. The Candy Ride colt received 40 first place votes; 400 points.
Moving up to second from third is Collected (322) who finished second to Gun Runner in the Classic for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner, Forever Unbridled (265) joins the ranks in third position for trainer Dallas Stewart and owner Charles Fipke, with World Approval (243) taking fourth for Live Oak Plantation and trainer Mark Casse.
Taking fifth and sixth place respectively are Bob Baffert-trained West Coast (219), who finished third in the Classic; and stablemate, Arrogate (205), the leading earner in North American racing history who dead-heated for fifth in the Classic.
The top 10
Rank, Horse Votes (first-place votes)
1. Gun Runner 400 (40)
2. Collected 322
3. Forever Unbridled 265
4. World Approval 243
5. West Coast 219
6. Arrogate 205
7. Beach Patrol 198
8. Abel Tasman 97
9. Roy H 95
10. Lady Eli 63