California Chrome Keeps #1 Spot in NTRA Poll
California Chrome — who has been at the top of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Top Thoroughbred Poll every week this year — kept his No. 1 spot, despite his loss over the weekend to Arrogate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
Arrogate moved up from fifth place to second from last week’s poll following his half-length victory Saturday over California Chrome.
California Chrome captured 30 first-place votes in the final poll for the year, with Arrogate getting 16 first-place votes.
Beholder also moved up in the poll, rising from eighth place to third after her win by a nose over Songbird after a magnificent stretch duel Friday in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The previously unbeaten Songbird moved down to fourth from her second-place ranking last week.
Tepin was in fifth and Flintshire was in sixth following their runner-up finishes, respectively, in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Drefong was ranked in seventh following his victory by 1 1/4 lengths over Masochistic.
Lady Eli was ranked No. 8, up one spot from last week, following her loss by a nose to Queen’s Trust in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire came in at No. 9, with Breeders’ Cup Turf victor Highland Reel rounding out the top 10 in this week’s poll.
Frosted, Stellar Wind and A.P. Indian all dropped out of the top 10 in the poll after losses in the Breeders’ Cup.
The weekly poll is based on votes cast by horse racing journalists and broadcasters.
I pray that California Chrome gets Horse of the Year because as good as Arrogate is 2 big stakes races aren’t enough over the long racing year to give him the honour!