For the fourth consecutive week, 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull has maintained his top spot in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Top 3-Year-Old Poll Feb. 19.
Winner of the Feb. 1 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park, Citizen Bull received 20 of the 27 first-place votes cast by members of the national media. He retains a 41-point lead over fellow Bob Baffert trainee Barnes , another son of Into Mischief .
The Feb. 22 Risen Star Stakes (G2) impacted the poll this week as formerly third-placed East Avenue dropped from the leaderboard after a disappointing 10th-place finish in his sophomore debut. This elevated Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Burnham Square into third position.
The 43-1 winner of the Risen Star, Magnitude , appeared in fourth place on this week’s rankings and earned one first-place vote by the time voting closed Feb. 17. On Feb. 18, Magnitude was discovered to have an ankle chip and was declared off the Triple Crown trail. The poll represents horses competing up and through the Triple Crown, so the colt could descend or disappear from the rankings next week.
COLLINS: Ankle Chip Knocks Magnitude Off Derby Trail
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The $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23 could influence next week’s ranking. Eighth-ranked Speed King , ninth-ranked Coal Battle , and 10th-ranked Sandman are among those scheduled to compete.
In the Top Thoroughbred Poll, Hall of Fame debuted in a tie for eighth place after his Mineshaft Stakes (G3) victory Saturday. White Abarrio leads.
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