After knocking on the door with third-place finishes in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) this spring, Baeza landed both his first stakes win and first grade 1 win Sept. 20 when he overwhelmed nine other 3-year-olds in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing.
The 2 1/4-length victory also caught the eyes of voters in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll as he moved from off the board to the No. 8 position. With Baeza moving into the Top 10, Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) winner Antiquarian fell out of the top 10 in the poll released Sept. 22.
The new poll prominently features the three horses who dominated the Triple Crown placings this spring. Dual classic winner Sovereignty reigns atop the poll with 27 of the 29 first-place votes. Besides his victories in the Derby and Belmont, Sovereignty most recently captured the Travers Stakes (G1).
Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, who finished second in the Derby and Belmont, ranks sixth in the poll.
Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner Fierceness is the highest-ranked older horse at No. 2 in the poll. Three other older horses follow him as Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) winner Mindframe is third, Whitney Stakes (G1) winner Sierra Leone is fourth, and reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna is fifth. Filly Thorpedo Anna most recently captured the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1).
Voting is conducted by national media. The poll represents horses competing for Horse of the Year. The poll concludes Nov. 4 following the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
