Tacitus, Haikal Land in Top 10 of NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll

The changing landscape in the sophomore ranks continues to be reflected in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top 3-Year-Old Poll as two newcomers enter the top 10 this week. 

Regally bred Tacitus, the first foal out of champion Close Hatches, lived up to his elite bloodlines when he set a stakes-record while winning the grade 2 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby March 9. Juddmonte Farms' homebred son of Tapit  prevailed in his first start since breaking his maiden last November and enters the 3-Year-Old Poll in the sixth position with 150 points. 

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Haikal also had a breakout effort this past weekend. Shadwell Stable's homebred son of Daaher put in a determined drive to defeat a field that included grade 1 winners Mind Control and Knicks Go as well as previously unbeaten Instagrand in the grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. Haikal earned 88 points from poll voters, good enough to put him eighth after previously being unranked. 

NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll

Rank    Horse    Points (first-place votes)

1.    Game Winner    396 (31)

2.    War of Will    362 (7)

3.    Improbable    315 (5)

4.    Code of Honor    295

5.    Mucho Gusto    228

6.    Tacitus    150

7.    Bourbon War    113

8.    Haikal    88

9.    Country House    60

10.    Gunmetal Gray    57

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

Rank    Horse    Points (first-place votes)

1.    City of Light     339 (33)

2.    Monomoy Girl    326    (8)

3.    Roy H    315

4.    Bricks and Mortar    256

5.    McKinzie    198

6.    Seeking the Soul    152

7.    Sistercharlie    129

8.    Accelerate     111

9.    Battle of Midway    78

10.    Marley's Freedom    77