America's Best Thoroughbreds for Oct. 12

Racing

American Pharoah preparing for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 12. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire unless noted)

Each week, through the NTRA’s Top Thoroughbred Poll, media members around the country vote on the top racehorses in the nation and give readers a sneak peak at who they are impressed with as top contenders in the road to the Breeders’ Cup. Get to know the horses they have named the top in the nation below and vote for your favorites on America's Best Racing's Fan Poll.

Don't forget to share your own Poll on Facebook and Twitter!

AMERICA'S TOP THOROUGHBREDS

No. 1: American Pharoah (38 first place votes)

Owner: Zayat Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Victor Espinoza

2015 stats: 7 starts, 6 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds

Previous Race: 2nd,  Travers Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 29 

Possible next race:  Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 2: Beholder  (1 first place vote)

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Richard Mandella

Jockey: Gary Stevens

Age/Gender: 5/Mare

2015 stats: 5 starts, 5 wins, 0 second, 0 third

Previous Race: 1st, Zenyatta Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26

Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 3: Honor Code (1 first place votes)


Photo by Penelope P. Miller

Owner: Lane's End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm

Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Age/Gender: 4/Ridgling

2015 stats: 5 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 thirds

Previous race: 3rd, Kelso, Belmont Park, Oct. 3

Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 4:  Liam's Map

Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog

Owner: Teresa Viola Racing Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Mike Smith

Age/Gender: 4/Colt

2015 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 third

Previous Race: 1st, Woodward Stakes, Saratoga, Sept. 5

Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 5: Tonalist


Owner: Robert Evans

Trainer: Christophe Clement

Jockey: John Velazquez

Age/Gender: 4/Colt

2015 stats: 5 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third

Previous Race: 1st, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Oct. 3

Possible next race:  Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 6: Private Zone

Owner: Good Friends Stable

Trainer: Jorge Navarro

Jockey: Martin Pedroza

Age/Gender: 6/Gelding

2015 stats: 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third

Previous Race: 1st, Forego, Saratoga, August 29

Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Sprint, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 7: Keen Ice

Owner: Donegal Racing

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Age/Gender: 3/Colt

2015 stats: 7 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds

Previous race: 1st, Travers Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 29

Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 8: Flintshire


Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Andre Fabre

Jockey: Vincemt Cheminaud

Age/Gender: 5/Horse

2015 stats: 6 starts, 1 win, 4 seconds, 1 third

Previous Race: 2nd, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Oct. 4 

Possible next race: Breeders' Cup Turf, Keeneland, Oct. 31

No. 9: Shared Belief

Photo by Benoit Photo

Owner: Jungle Racing LLC, KMN Racing LLC, Hollendorfer, Litt, Solis II and Todaro

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

Jockey: Mike Smith

Age/Gender: 4/Gelding

2015 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous Race: DNF, Charles Town Classic, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, April 1

Possible next race: TBD

No. 10: Lady Eli

Owner: Sheep Pond Partners

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Age/Gender: 3/Filly

2015 stats: 3 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 1st, Belmont Oaks, Belmont Park, July 4

Possible next race: TBD

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube