Unique Bella makes big move up in NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll
Off her victory Saturday in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes, champion sprinter Unique Bella set herself up as a major contender in the distaff division, something that seems supported in the latest edition of the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll.
Released Monday, the rankings show a jump from No. 10 to No. 5 for the 4-year-old daughter of Tapit, placing her one spot ahead of older female champion Forever Unbridled and three ahead of Abel Tasman, who was second to Forever Unbridled in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
West Coast received 20 first-place votes to remain atop the poll for a second straight week. Another champion who won his seasonal debut, World Approval, sits second with the recently retired Gun Runner third. Roy H rounds out the top five.
The NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll is the sport’s most comprehensive survey of experts ranking the generation of Thoroughbreds that includes all Triple Crown contenders. Every week eligible journalists and broadcasters cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Other horses receiving votes: COLLECTED (38), ACCELERATE (26), HEART TO HEART (25), ITSINTHEPOST (22), GOOD MAGIC (18), BOLT D\’ORO (13), MIND YOUR BISCUITS (10), STELLAR WIND (9), RAINBOW HEIR (9), WESTWOOD (7), SEEKING THE SOUL (7), DONA BRUJA (7), AUDIBLE (5), ELATE (5), OSCAR PERFORMANCE (5), MCKINZIE (5), GIANT EXPECTATIONS (4), X Y JET (4), CALEDONIA ROAD (3), PEE WEE REESE (3), OFF LIMITS (3), GOOD SAMARITAN (2), OSCAR NOMINATED (2), RUSHING FALL (2), ALWAYS DREAMING (2), OM (1), BIGGER PICTURE (1), PIONEER SPIRIT (1), GRAND JETE (1), HOPPERTUNITY (1), INSTILLED REGARD (1)