Justify Nearly Unanimous Top Choice in NTRA Poll
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Justify parades June 23 at Santa Anita Park
Undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify remains the top Thoroughbred racehorse in the United States by a wide margin, according the results of this week's NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll of racing media.
Trained by Bob Baffert for owners China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners, the son of Scat Daddy is recovering from his 16-week campaign at Santa Anita Park while future plans remain undecided. Justify is a perfect 6-for-6 since winning on debut in February and also won an allowance race and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before his historic sweep of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), the Preakness Stakes (G1), and the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1).
Justify garnered 36 of 37 first-place votes to amass 369 points in this week's tally. The lone dissenting first-place vote went to recent Metropolitan Handicap (G1) runner-up Mind Your Biscuits (fifth overall, 155 points) and was cast by Horse Racing Radio Network host Anthony Stabile.
"Mind Your Biscuits has had an interesting and ambitious season," Stabile said. "To go to Dubai and win the Golden Shaheen (G1) in such dramatic fashion, again, then come back and run arguably the best race of his life in the Met Mile speaks to his tremendous talent. Maybe others have more talent but I think he's the best racehorse out there right now."
The only change to the top 10 this week was another move up the charts by Monomoy Girl, winner of three straight grade 1 events, including the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) and the Acorn (G1), from ninth to seventh, resulting in one-spot drops for Abel Tasman and City of Light. None of the top 10 raced since last week's poll.
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Rank Horse Points (first-place votes)
1. Justify 369 (36)
2. Accelerate 285
3. West Coast 244
4. Unique Bella 175
5. Mind Your Biscuits 155 (1)
6. Bee Jersey 153
7. Monomoy Girl 131
8. Abel Tasman 118
9. City of Light 93
10. Army Mule 60