Rachel Alexandra maintains poll position

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Preakness and Haskell winner Rachel Alexandra remains in first-place in the weekly NTRA Thoroughbred Poll over champion mare Zenyatta. The filly leads the five-year-old by 14 points in the latest voting.

Owned by Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick, 'Rachel' has 19 first-place votes and 199 points. The three-year-old has been shelved for the rest of year and is expected to return for a 2010 campaign.

"We are all looking forward to an exciting 2010 season," said co-owner Jess Jackson. "In the interim, I want to sincerely thank the fans, the track officials and the media for all their heartfelt support of this wonderful filly."

Zenyatta, winner of all 13 career starts, received one first-place vote and 185 points. Speculation continues on whether the mare will defend her Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic title or take on the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

"We're in no hurry," Zenyatta's trainer John Shirreffs said concerning a decision.

Remaining in third is Belmont and Travers Stakes champion Summer Bird. The three-year-old colt also got one first-place vote with 176 points.

Arlington Million champ Gio Ponti remains in fourth with the versatile horse Einstein holding on to the fifth spot. Taking over the sixth position is the sprinter Zensational followed by Alabama winner Careless Jewel, Ventura, Forever Together and Quality Road.