Abel Tasman rises in latest NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

News that Abel Tasman's back to wok and has a target race may explain the only move in an otherwise quiet week for the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll.

The champion 3-year-old filly, who last year won the Kentucky Oaks, is expected to return to Churchill Downs in May for the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes.

Knowing that, voters, a comprehensive collection of writers and broadcasters, boosted the Bob Baffert-trained daughter of Quality Road a spot in this week's rankings to No. 7.

Otherwise, the list remained the same, led by West Coast, another from the Baffert barn who ran a game second to Gun Runner last time out in the Pegasus World Cup.

World Approval, Unique Bella, Roy H and Forever Unbridled -- also all champions -- rounded out the top five.




Other horses receiving votes: COLLECTED (28), ACCELERATE (24), HEART TO HEART (19), ITSINTHEPOST (18), BOLT D’ORO (15), GOOD MAGIC (14), GIANT EXPECTATIONS (8), STELLAR WIND (8), ECONOMIC MODEL (8), SEEKING THE SOUL (7), MIND YOUR BISCUITS (7), X Y JET (6), DONA BRUJA (6), IRISH WAR CRY (5), ELATE (5), THE PLAYER (3), ALWAYS DREAMING (3), RUSHING FALL (3), OSCAR NOMINATED (3), GOOD SAMARITAN (2), OSCAR PERFORMANCE (2), MCKINZIE (2), AFLEET WILLY (1), GRAND JETE (1), AUDIBLE (1), BIGGER PICTURE (1)