Following a hard-fought victory Feb. 8 in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, CHC and WinStar Farm's John Hancock has joined the Top 10 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll released Feb. 11.
A slight favorite in the field of 10, the Brad Cox-trained son of Constitution led nearly every step of the 1 1/16-mile distance while outdueling a game Owen Almighty for the length of the stretch.
That impressive performance in just his second career start earned enough respect from the national media voters to place the colt in seventh place in his poll debut. He is the lone member of the Top 10 to have multiple starts this season, having won a Tampa maiden race Jan. 8.
Two members have yet to make their 3-year-old debut, but third-ranked East Avenue is scheduled to drop that number to one this weekend. A Godolphin homebred trained by Brendan Walsh, East Avenue earned plenty of respect with a dominant victory in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland in October that was not shaken by a poor performance in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) after a disastrous break.
The son of Medaglia d'Oro faces 12 rivals Feb. 15 in his comeback performance: the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 15.
No changes occurred in the Top Thoroughbred poll with White Abarrio remaining on top.
