Shifman: Pletcher's Coal Front, Prince Lucky command respect

The Older Male Division finally had a big weekend of action as many horses made their anticipated returns to the track at Meydan, attracted by the multi-million dollar purses on a prestigious evening in Dubai. A few of the victories by American runners prompted changes in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll and specifically on my ballot.

Thunder Snow, of course, became the first horse to ever win the Dubai World Cup for a second time, prevailing in a head to head stretch duel with Gronkowski. However, because both of those horses have not run in North America in 2019, you won't find them on my Top 10 list. It is, however, expected that Thunder Snow will campaign in the United States later this year, and when he does there will need to be a spot for him.

My Top 10 this week features the first appearance of two talented milers with similar records and trainer. Coal Front moved into the No. 3 spot and Prince Lucky is right behind him in fourth.

Coal Front races for the connections of trainer Todd Pletcher and the ownership team of Robert LaPenta and Sol Kumin’s Head of the Plains Partners. With a Godolphin Mile (G2) score -- Pletcher's first victory in Dubai -- he has assembled a three-race win streak dating back to December. The son of Stay Thirsty sat a wide stalking trip and was able to track down the pacesetter with a determined stretch run.

Coal Front won the Razorback Handicap (G3) back in February at Oaklawn Park and with the Group 2 victory in Dubai sports a career record of 9: 7-0-0 with earnings of $1,677,280.

Prince Lucky is another Pletcher runner who won his second graded stakes race of the year in the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) which makes his record similar to that of his stablemate when you add in his February victory in the Hal’s Hope (G3). The son of Corinthian earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure with his convincing four-length win as the odds-on favorite.

In one other change, X Y Jet grabbed my No. 7 spot after his victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) while running in the race for the third time. The speedy gelding would not be caught on this day, as he won for the 12th time in his career pushing his earnings over the $3 million mark. The son of Kantharos headed to Dubai off of a February allowance victory at Gulfstream Park.

Vino Rosso, Battle of Midway, and Monomoy Girl lost their spots in my Top 10 to make room for the new three. With horses putting together strong resumes on the track, I could no longer leave the un-raced Champion 3-year-old filly on the list, especially since her return to the races has been delayed until Kentucky Derby weekend.