Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom joined the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll this week in fifth position, giving trainer Brad Cox two in the top 10 rankings. Cox's other trainee, Timberlake, is ranked second ahead of his entry in this weekend's G1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
Risen Star (G2) winner Sierra Leone continues to be ranked first for trainer Chad Brown, pointing to the G2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 6. Meanwhile, Bob Baffert trainee Nysos is ranked third despite an injury which has taken the colt off the Triple Crown trail.
Other members of the top 10 expected to race this coming weekend include:
- Dornoch - entered in G1 Florida Derby
- Muth - entered in G1 Arkansas Derby
- Fierceness - entered in G1 Florida Derby
- Mystik Dan - entered in G1 Arkansas Derby
- Hades - entered in G1 Florida Derby
Last weekend's graded stakes action also produced two newcomers to the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. First Mission, winner of the G3 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn, jumped up to eighth position, while the Fair Grounds' G2 Muniz Memorial winner I'm Very Busy stepped up to ninth position.
Senor Buscador continues to lead the poll off the strength of his win in the G1 Saudi Cup, and will race again on Saturday in the G1 Dubai World Cup. He'll face fourth-ranked Newgate in the $12 million contest.
Additionally, third-ranked Saudi Crown will take on Dubai's G2 Godolphin Mile.
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