FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joan Lawrence, NTRA Communications, (646) 335-6833 

NYQUIST DOMINATES TOP 3-YEAR-OLD POLL;

CALIFORNIA CHROME REMAINS IN FIRST PLACE ON TOP THOROUGHBRED POLL

Saratoga Springs, NY (Monday, May 9, 2016) – Kentucky Derby 142 (G1) at Churchill Downs belonged to one horse, the undefeated Nyquist who took command of the race from Gun Runner (316) in the upper stretch, opening an easy margin and had more than enough to hold off Exaggerator (375) by 1 ¼ lengths to win the Run for the Roses this past Saturday. Like last year’s Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah, Nyquist has taken all post Derby (44 first-place votes, with 440 points) in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top 3-Year-Old Poll overall top 10 in Week 10.

Nyquist became the 21st 2-year-old champion to come back the following year and win the Kentucky Derby and the second Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner to take the roses along with Street Sense nine years ago. It also was the second victory in the Derby for owner Paul Reddam, trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez; the trio that got the roses in 2012 with I’ll Have Another.

Rounding out the top-ten are: Songbird (297); Mohaymen (253); Suddenbreakingnews (173); Cathryn Sophia (151); Destin (112); Brody’s Cause (90) and Creator (37). 

The NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll is the sport’s most comprehensive survey of experts ranking the generation of Thoroughbreds that includes all Triple Crown contenders. Every week as many as 50 eligible journalists and broadcasters cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. The NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll concludes Monday, June 12, following the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

In the Top Thoroughbred Poll, the all-time leading money earner in the U.S., California Chrome, remains on top for the tenth straight week with ( 37 first-place votes, 433 points) after his smashing 3 3/4-length victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (Group 1). With earnings of $12,532,650, California Chrome surpassed 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin, who retired to stud with earnings of $10,501,800.

North American champion turf female Tepin (1 first-place vote, 361 points) remains second in the rankings for owner Robert Masterson and trainer Mark Casse after her dominating 3 ½ length victory in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) for fillies and mares this past Saturday. Tepin joins Foresta (1990-91) as the only repeat winner to win this race.

Making her 2016 debut after more than a seven month absence, three-time Eclipse Award Champion, Beholder (272) won easily in Sunday’s (G2), Adoration Stakes by 2 ½ lengths at Santa Anita Park for trainer Richard Mandella and owner, B. Wayne Hughes.

Rounding out the field is: Nyquist (6 first-place votes, 309 points); Songbird (188); Effinex (167); Hoppertunity (112); Exaggerator (92); Melatonin (80); and Mshawish (65).

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll concludes Monday, November 7, following the Breeders’ Cup World Championships,which will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.