Verrazano is the new Number 1 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s weekly poll, topping last week’s chart topper Itsmyluckyday . Verrazano, a three-length winner of the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II), is unbeaten in three starts. He races for Let’s Go Stable, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith and is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Verrazano received 27 of the 53 first-place votes. Itsmyluckyday received 10 first-place votes. Hear the Ghost, the rallying winner of the March 9 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita enters the top 10 in the seventh slot.
The poll, released March 11, is scored on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for the media member’s top 10.
NTRA Top 3-year-old Thoroughbred Poll
Rank – Horse (First-place votes) – Points
1 – Verrazano (27) – 475
2 – Itsmyluckyday (10) – 401
3 – Orb (6) – 378
4 – Vyjack (7) – 324
5 – Shanghai Bobby – 259
6 – Revolutionary (2) – 238
7 – Hear the Ghost – 17
8 – Super Ninety Nine (1) – 169
9 – Flashback – 160
10 – Beholder – 60
Others receiving votes: Normandy Invasion (42), Code West (36), Treasury Bill (28), Goldencents (23), Oxbow (23), Java’s War (19), Uncaptured (16), Rydilluc (14), Kauai Katie (10), Mac the Man (9), Palace Malice (9), Den's Legacy (8), Power Broker (5), Shakin It Up (5), West Hills Giant (5), Ive Struck A Nerve (4), Live Lively (3), Overanalyze (3), Falling Sky (2), Unlimited Budget (2), Capo Bastone (1), Delhomme (1), Dice Flavor (1), Flashy Gray (1), General Election (1), Maleeh (1), Rose to Gold (1), Tiz the Truth (1).
Game On Dude received 34 of 53 first-place votes to remain atop the national poll that recognizes all age groups. He was a 73/4-length winner of the March 2 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). Discreet Dancer, winner of the March 9 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) debuts at No. 10 on the poll.
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Rank – Horse (First-place votes) – Points
1 – Game On Dude (34) – 503
2 – Royal Delta (5) – 418
3 – Wise Dan (10) – 327
4 – Point of Entry (1) – 319
5 – Fort Larned (3) – 214
6 – Graydar – 182
7 – Suggestive Boy – 141
8 – Ron the Greek – 131
9 – Animal Kingdom – 123
10 – Discreet Dancer – 68
Others receiving votes: Verrazano (57), Mizdirection (49), Little Mike (39), Groupie Doll (35), Mark Valeski (35), Comma to The top (30), Believe You Can (29), Beholder (22), Data Link (18), Vyjack (18), Itsmyluckyday (17), Sahara Sky (15), Mucho Macho Man (12), Successful Dan ( 11), Called to Serve (10), Orb (10), Dullahan (9), Bourbon Courage (8), Flat Out (7), Clubhouse Ride (6), Joyful Victory (6), Paynter (6), Jeranimo (4), Optimizer (4), Revolutionary (4), Super Ninety Nine (4), Hear the Ghost (3), Old Tune (3), Swift Warrior (3), Flashback (2), Golden Mystery (2), Shanghai Bobby (2), Silentio (2), Take Charge Indy (2), Amira's Prince (1), Cyber Secret (1), Kauai Katie (1), Live Lively (1), Summer Applause (1)
Verrazano
Tom Cooley Photography