Fresh off his thrilling triumph in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Sovereignty claimed the top spot in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top 3-Year-Old Poll.
The voting media gave the son of Into Mischief 299 points, a total that matches the season-best total achieved by Journalism, who was favored to win the Derby. Journalism posted consecutive 299-point weeks in leading the poll April 14 and 21.
Sovereignty, who previously was the third-ranked 3-year-old, received all but one first-place vote. The other first-place vote went to Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Good Cheer, who climbs six places from No. 10 to No. 4.
The rest of the top 10 had a topsy-turvy feel as aside from Journalism, who was the runner-up in the Derby, dropping one spot, as lower-ranked horses climbed while higher-ranked ones dropped.
Baeza, third in the Derby, went from No. 11 to No. 3; the aforementioned Good Cheer; and Derby fourth Final Gambit jumped from No. 12 to No. 5.
Meanwhile, the Derby undercard brought chaos to the NTRA's Top Thoroughbred poll for horses 4 and up.
White Abarrio, despite having not run since the March 29 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3), takes over the top spot. But behind him Fierceness jumped from 10 to No. 2 after quite possibly his best showing in conquering the Alysheba Stakes (G2). Mindframe, who won the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), is now third.
There were several massive climbs as Spirit of St Louis' Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) win moved the gelding from 24th to 7th; Kopion's win in the Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) moved her from No. 14 to No. 8; and Raging Sea's victory in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) elevated her from No. 39 to No. 9.
Thorpedo Anna, the reigning Horse of the Year who was last in the La Troienne, fell from first to fifth but still maintained one first-pace vote.
Both polls can be found here.
