
Piassek's Plays: Building a Bankroll on Preakness Day
Each week members of the media around the country vote on the nation's top racehorses, many of whom are aiming for the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar on Nov. 3-4, in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. With summer racing in full swing, find out the latest top racehorse rankings below.
To learn more about America's best khakis, Bills Khakis, or to shop their apparel, vist their website: www.billskhakis.com.
AMERICA'S TOP THOROUGHBREDS as of July 31
1. Arrogate (31 first-place votes)
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
2017 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 4th, TVG San Diego Handicap, Del Mar, July 22
Next race: TVG Pacific Classic, Del Mar, Aug. 19
2. Gun Runner (3 first-place votes)
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Florent Geroux
2017 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Stephen Foster Handicap, Churchill Downs, June 17
Next race: Whitney Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 5
3. Songbird (2 first-place votes)
Owner: Fox Hill Farms
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Jockey: Mike Smith
2017 stats: 2 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Delaware Handicap, Delaware Park, July 15
Next race: TBD, either TVG Pacific Classic, Del Mar, Aug. 19, or Personal Ensign, Saratoga, Aug. 26
4. Stellar Wind
Owner: Hronis Racing
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
2017 stats: 3 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, Del Mar, July 30
Next race: TBD
5. Lady Eli
Owner: Sheep Pond Partners
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2017 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Diana Stakes, Saratoga, July 22
Next race: Flower Bowl, Belmont Park, Oct. 8
6. Mor Spirit
Owner: Michael Lund Petersen
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
2017 stats: 4 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap, Belmont Park, June 10
Next race: TBD
Owner: J Stables, Head of Plains Partners, Summers, Summers, Kisber et al.
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Joel Rosario
2017 stats: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Belmont Sprint Championship, Belmont Park, July 8
Next race: Forego Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 26
8. Shaman Ghost
Owner: Stronach Stables
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
Jockey: Javier Castellano
2017 stats: 4 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 2nd, Suburban Handicap, Belmont Park, July 8
Next race: TBD
9. Abel Tasman
Owner: China Horse Club and Clearsky Farms
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
2017 stats: 5 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, Coaching Club American Oaks, Saratoga, July 23
Next race: TBD
10. Lady Aurelia
Owner: Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton and Peter Leidel
Trainer: Wesley Ward
Jockey: John Velazquez
2017 stats: 2 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Previous race: 1st, King's Stand Stakes, Ascot, June 20
Next race: Coolmore Nunthorpe, York, Aug. 25