Racing action this past week resulted in no changes to the top 10 horses ranked in the most recent NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, with National Treasure maintaining the lead over Senor Buscador. Movement in the poll is likely in the coming weeks as horses compete during the summer race meets at Saratoga Race Course, which opens on July 11, and Del Mar, which opens on July 20.
The current poll leader, National Treasure, has been training steadily since his victory in the June 8 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at the Belmont Stakes Festival. The Bob Baffert trainee, who also won the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) to start his 4-year-old season, breezed five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 on July 8 at Santa Anita Park.
Senor Buscador, trained by Todd Fincher and the winner of the Saudi Cup (G1), is also training in Southern California. However, he has not breezed since covering a half-mile in :47 4/5 at San Luis Rey Training Center on June 22.
Ranked 12th in the poll, Didia has a chance to move into the top 10 if she follows up her Just a Game Stakes (G1T) victory with another strong performance in the Diana Stakes (G1T) on July 13 at Saratoga.
The NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, conducted by national media and covering racing performances through July 7, ranks horses competing for Horse of the Year. The poll concludes on November 5, shortly after the Breeders' Cup.