Notable Speech Climbs NTRA Rankings After Woodbine Mile Victory
In a recent update to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Thoroughbred rankings, Notable Speech ascended 10 places to claim the eighth spot. This significant jump follows his impressive back-to-back victory in the Woodbine Mile (G1). Meanwhile, Sovereignty has solidified its leading position in the 34th week of the rankings, continuing to dominate the poll with considerable support.
Notable Speech, recognized as the 2025 Eclipse Award-winning turf male, delivered a stellar performance on Saturday, overcoming pacesetter Deterministic in the final stretch to win the Woodbine Mile by 1 1/4 lengths. Ridden by William Buick and trained by Charles Appleby, the 5-year-old son of Dubawi secured his third win in five starts this year, earning a guaranteed entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile on October 31 at Keeneland, where he will defend his title. This triumph garnered him 101 points, a substantial increase from his previous 18th ranking. Conversely, Deterministic, whose six-race winning streak concluded at the Mile, saw a slight dip from sixth to ninth place with 100 points. Sovereignty continued its reign at the top, securing 23 out of 32 first-place votes and a total of 297 points. Knightsbridge maintained its second position with three first-place votes and 264 points, while Nitrogen remained consistent at third with 216 points.
The rankings also saw shifts among other contenders: Forever Young and Magnitude exchanged places, with the Japan-bred Forever Young moving to fourth with 178 points, just one point ahead of Magnitude, who now sits in fifth. Three-year-olds Englishman and Golden Tempo each advanced one spot, landing at sixth and seventh, respectively. Splendora entered the top 10 at tenth place after a commanding 5 1/4-length victory in the Locust Grove Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, marking her fifth win in six starts this year. Leading Change and Burnham Square, however, fell out of the top 10, receiving 34 and 22 points, respectively, among other horses with votes.
These dynamic shifts in the NTRA poll highlight the competitive nature of thoroughbred racing, where consistent performance and strategic wins can dramatically alter a horse's standing. Such rankings not only celebrate current achievements but also build anticipation for future races, particularly the prestigious Breeders' Cup, where these top contenders will once again vie for glory and cement their legacies in the sport.