America's Best Thoroughbreds for Sept. 22

Racing

Bayern's win in the Pennsylvania Derby was a big factor in him jumping from 21st to fifth in the Poll (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire, unless otherwise noted)

Each week media members around the country vote on the top Thoroughbreds in the nation and give readers a sneak peak at who they are considering for the Eclipse Awards in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. Get to know the horses they have named the top in the nation below and vote for your favorites on America's Best Racing's Fan Poll. Don't forget to share your own Poll on Facebook and Twitter!

No. 1: Wise Dan (34 first place votes)

Photo by NYRA/Coglinese Photos

Owner: Morton Fink

Trainer: Charlie LoPresti

Jockey: John Velazquez

2014 stats: 3 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous Race: 1st, Bernard Baruch Handicap, Saratoga, Aug. 30

Next potential race: Shadwell Turf Mile, Keeneland, Oct. 4 

No. 2 : Shared Belief (7 first place votes)

Owner: Jungle Racing LLC, KMN Racing LLC, Hollendorfer, Litt, Solis II and Todaro

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

Jockey: Mike Smith

2014 stats: 3 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous Race: 1st, Pacific Classic, Del Mar, Aug. 24

Next potential race: Awesome Again Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 27

No. 3: Close Hatches (2 first place vote)

Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Joel Rosario

2014 stats: 4 starts, 4 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 1st, Personal Ensign Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 22

Next potential race: Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, Keeneland, Oct. 5

No. 4: California Chrome (1 first place vote)

Owner: Steve Corburn and Perry Martin

Trainer: Art Sherman

Jockey: Victor Espinoza

2014 stats: 7 starts, 5 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 6th, Pennsylvania Derby, Parx, Sept 20

Next potential race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita, Nov. 1

No. 5: Bayern


Owner: Kaleem Shah

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Martin Garcia

2014 stats: 9 starts, 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third

Previous race: 1st, Pennsylvania Derby, Parx, Sept 20

Next potential race: Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita, Nov. 1

No. 5: Itsmyluckyday

Photo by Equiphoto

Owner: Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa

Trainer: Edward Plesa, Jr.

Jockey: Paco Lopez

2014 stats: 6 starts, 4 wins, 1 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 1st, Woodward Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 30

Next potential race: Kelso Handicap, Belmont, Sept. 27

No. 7: Untapable

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Rosie Napravnik

2014 stats: 6 starts, 5 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 1st, Cotillion Stakes, Parx Racing, Sept. 20 

Next potential race: Breeders' Cup Distaff, Oct. 31, Santa Anita

No. 8: Moreno

Owner: Southern Equine Stable

Trainer: Eric Guillot

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

2014 stats: 6 starts, 1 wins, 2 seconds, 1 thirds

Previous race: 2nd, Woodward Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 30

Next potential race: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Sept. 27

No. 9: Wicked Strong

Owner: Centennial Farms

Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens

Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

2014 stats: 7 starts, 2 wins, 1 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 2nd, Travers Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 23

Next potential race: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Sept. 27

No. 10: Palace Malice (1 first place vote)

Owner: Dogwood Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

2014 stats: 5 starts, 4 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds

Previous race: 6th, Whitney Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 2

Next potential race: Retired

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