America's Best Horses for May 24

Racing
Trainer Michael McCarthy leads Rombauer and jockey Flavien Prat to the winner’s circle after the colt won the Preakness Stakes on May 15. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Each week members of the media around the country vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. The poll will run weekly through June 5. Find out the latest 2021 top 3-year-old rankings below.


AMERICA’S TOP THOROUGHBREDS FOR MAY 24, 2021

Eclipse Sportswire

1. Rombauer (12 first-place votes)

Owners: John and Diane Fradkin

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2021 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race:1st, Preakness Stakes, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course

Next race: Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, June 5 at Belmont Park


Eclipse Sportswire

2. Essential Quality (12 first-place votes)

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luis Saez

2021 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 4th, Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 1 at Churchill Downs 

Next race: Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, June 5 at Belmont Park


Eclipse Sportswire

3. Mandaloun (4 first-place votes)

Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Florent Geroux

2021 record: 4 starts -1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Last race: 2nd, Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 1 at Churchill Downs 

Next race: TBD


Eclipse Sportswire

4. Hot Rod Charlie 

Owners: Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and William Strauss

Trainer:  Doug O'Neill

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2021 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Last race: 3rd, Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 1 at Churchill Downs 

Next race: Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, June 5 at Belmont Park


Coady Photography

5. Medina Spirit (7 first-place votes)

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: John Velazquez

2021 record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 3rdPreakness Stakes, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course

Next race: TBD


Eclipse Sportswire

6. Midnight Bourbon

Owners: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

2021 record: 5 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 2nd, Preakness Stakes, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course

Next race: TBD, possibly the TVG Haskell Invitational Stakes, July 17 at Monmouth Park or the Jim Dandy Stakes, July 31 at Saratoga Race Course


Eclipse Sportswire

7. Malathaat 

Owner: Shadwell Stable

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

2021 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Longines Kentucky Oaks, April 30 at Churchill Downs 

Next race: Coaching Club American Oaks, July 23 at Saratoga Race Course


Coady Photography

8. Jackie’s Warrior

Owners: J. Kirk and Judy Robison

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

2021 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU, May 1 at Churchill Downs 

Next race: TBD


Eclipse Sportswire

9. Life Is Good (1 first-place vote)

Owners: WinStar Farm and CHC

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Mike Smith

2021 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, San Felipe Stakes, March 6 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD, sidelined due to injury


Eclipse Sportswire

10. Rock Your World

Owners: Hronis Racing and Talla Racing

Trainer: John Sadler

Jockey: Joel Rosario

2021 record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 17th, Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 1 at Churchill Downs 

Next race: Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, June 5 at Belmont Park

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