Racing’s Unforgettable Rivalries: Sunday Silence and Easy Goer
Sierra Leone Moves Up in Triple Crown Rankings, Nysos Still No. 1
RacingEach week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
Week 4 of the 2024 Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the NTRA covers racing performances through Feb. 19, 2024. Nysos, the undefeated winner of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, owns the No. 1 spot in the poll for the third straight week and garnered 28 of the 32 first-place votes. This week's big mover was Sierra Leone, who moved up seven spots to No. 2 after his victory in the .
The 3-year-old poll represents horses competing up to and through the Triple Crown. Rankings are based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 voting system. First place votes are in parentheses.
AMERICA’S TOP 3-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBREDS FOR FEB. 20, 2024
1. Nysos (28 first-place votes)
Owner: Baoma Corp.
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
2024 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Feb. 3 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: Santa Anita Derby, April 6 at Santa Anita Park
2. Sierra Leone (4 first-place votes)
Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, Peter M. Brant
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
2024 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 6 at Keeneland
Owners: L and N Racing, Clark O. Brewster, Jerry Caroom, Breeze Easy
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
2024 record: 2 start – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 2nd, Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Louisiana Derby, March 23 at Fair Grounds
4. Muth
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
2024 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, San Vicente Stakes, Jan. 6 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: San Felipe Stakes, March 2 at Santa Anita Park
5. Fierceness
Owner: Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
2024 record: 1 start – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Last race: 3rd, Holy Bull Stakes, Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park
Next race: Florida Derby, March 30 at Gulfstream Park
6. Hades
Owners: D. J. Stable and Robert Cotran
Trainer: Joe Orseno
Jockey: Paco Lopez
2024 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Holy Bull Stakes, Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park
Next race: Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 2 at Gulfstream Park or Florida Derby, March 30 at Gulfstream Park
7. Locked
Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
2024 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 3rd, FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by TAA, Nov. 3, 2023 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 2 at Gulfstream Park
8. Mystik Dan
Owners: Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez
2024 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Southwest Stakes, Feb. 3 at Oaklawn Park
Next race: Arkansas Derby, March 30 at Oaklawn Park
9. Dornoch
Trainer: Danny Gargan
2024 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 2, 2023 at Aqueduct
Next race: Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 2 at Gulfstream Park
10. Maymun
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, allowance optional claiming race, Feb. 11 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: San Felipe Stakes, March 2 at Santa Anita Park
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