Golden Tempo Takes No. 1 Spot in NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll

There are many accolades that come alongside winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), and one of those is the placement at the top of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll the Tuesday after the first Saturday in May. That is the case for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Golden Tempo, whose last-to-first victory May 2 led to him jumping from 13th in the April 28 poll to first in the May 5 poll. The son of Curlin, trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz, received 22 of the 31 first-place votes submitted by the national media who vote on the weekly poll, receiving 301 total points. Repole Stable's Renegade, runner-up in the Derby, received the other nine first-place votes to place second on the poll he led before the race and received 287 total points. However, the biggest jump did not come from the Derby, but rather the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2). After his 3 3/4-length triumph, Crude Velocity rose from 31st to fourth in the rankings. Other notable winners from the weekend joining the top 10 include American Turf Stakes (G1T) winner Stark Contrast in sixth and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Always a Runner in seventh. The NTRA's Top Thoroughbred Poll saw only minor adjustments to the placements of the top 10. No horses fell out of the top 10 despite the Saturday off-the-board finishes of Knightsbridge (eighth in rankings), Splendora (ninth), and Imagination (10th). Magnitude continues to lead the poll over White Abarrio and Sovereignty. See the full Week 15 rankings