A potential field for North America’s richest race, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, is shaping up now almost two months out from October 31.
Contenders are still chasing American Pharoah in leading into it, with the Triple Crown winner again topping the latest NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) Top Thoroughbred Poll released on Tuesday.
Mare Beholder (Pacific Classic), Honor Code (Whitney) and Liam’s Map (Woodward) follow American Pharoah off their own major Grade I wins. Others who could go in the Classic, Keen Ice and Tonalist, rank seventh and tenth, respectively, this week.
Shared Belief remains in the top 10 but continues recovering from a hip injury and isn’t expected to be ready in time for the Breeders’ Cup.
NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll (first-place votes)
- American Pharoah (28)
- Beholder (1)
- Honor Code (2)
- Liam’s Map
- Private Zone
- Shared Belief
- Keen Ice
- Lady Eli
- Flintshire
- Tonalist
Others receiving votes: The Pizza Man (31), California Chrome (19), Sheer Drama (17), Frosted (15), Big Blue Kitten (9), Cavorting (6), Songbird (5), Stellar Wind (5), Wicked Strong (5), Ironicus (4), Lovely Maria (4), Big John B (3), Coach Inge (2), Dortmund (2), Nyquist (2), Rachel’s Valentina (2), Rock Fall (2), Tiz Shea D (2), Catch A Flight (1), Hard Not To Like (1), Runhappy (1), Wise Dan (1).
The Courier-Journal.com
Picture: American Pharoah
