Despite neither horse having raced in over a month, Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner White Abarrio overtook Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Magnitude for the No. 1 spot on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll released May 27.
The poll was close, with White Abarrio receiving 247 total points and Magnitude receiving 243. It is important to note that this week's rankings came out a day later Wednesday than the typical Tuesday release as there was graded stakes action May 25 for Memorial Day.
Only 27 members of the national media who vote on the weekly poll submitted their rankings this week compared to 30 the prior week. All three who did not submit their poll had voted Magnitude the prior week as his first-place vote count dropped from 16 to 13, while White Abarrio (12 first-place votes), Sovereignty (1), and Burnham Square (1) maintained the same support.
Likely to flip-flop again in the coming weeks, a clear No. 1 should emerge June 27 as both White Abarrio and Magnitude, as well as third-ranked Sovereignty, are scheduled to meet in the $2 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.
In the 3-year-old poll, missing three of his first-place voters did not drop Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Golden Tempo out of the No. 1 spot. He prepares for a rematch with second-ranked Renegade June 6 in the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
