C R K Stable's Englishman moved into the top 10 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll released Sept. 1 following his impressive victory in the Aug. 29 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1). The national media poll showcases the leading Horse of the Year candidates.
Coming into the Allen Jerkens off an impressive 5 3/4-length victory in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1), Englishman showed his brilliant speed once again Saturday, winning the Allen Jerkens in gate-to-wire fashion. He finished 3 3/4 lengths ahead of second-place finisher Deep Flame. The final time for the 7-furlong race was 1:20.71, just off the track record of 1:20.40, set by Englishman himself in the Woody Stephens.
Englishman moved from 13th into seventh place, receiving one first-place vote. His stablemate, Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo, dropped from sixth to ninth this week following a third-place finish to Leading Change in the Travers Stakes (G1). The latter is now ranked 12th.
With the addition of Englishman, Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) winner Splendora was pushed out of the top 10 this week, with the rest remaining mostly unchanged.
Whitney Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty holds a comfortable lead at the top spot, receiving 23 first-place votes and 289 points overall. Pacific Classic (G1) winner Knightsbridge holds the No. 2 spot with 242 points overall and two first-place votes. Bill Mott trains both horses for owner/breeder Godolphin.
