Wise Dan regains lead from Game On Dude in NTRA poll

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The back and forth between Wise Dan and Game One Dude for leadership of the NTRA National Thoroughbred Poll continues in week 32 of the voting.

Following a decisive victory Saturday in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland, Wise Dan returns to first-place over Game On Dude. The two 5-year-old geldings are separated by 15 points, with Wise Dan receiving 21 top votes and 434 points to Game On Dude's 13 first-place votes and 419 points.

Wise Dan, who has won on three different surfaces, could face Game On Dude in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.

"I am going to talk it over with Mr. Fink (owner Morton Fink), but we will probably stick with the Mile," Wise Dan's trainer Charles Lopresti said. "I am a little concerned about the track out there being a bit loose and speed favoring. For him to run on a track that he never has been on and face a horse like Game On Dude that has won over the track would be like throwing him to the wolves."

The next five spots in the poll are unchanged from last week.

Beldame Stakes winner Royal Delta picked up three top votes and 301 points. Turf Classic champ Point of Entry got a single first-place vote and 274 points.

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another is steady in fifth with nine top votes and 229 points. The sixth spot is held by Mucho Macho Man (169) followed by Flat Out (121).

Moving up a rung to eighth is My Miss Aurelia with one first-place vote and 118 points. Ron the Greek advanced a spot to ninth with 103 points and Fort Larned dropped from eighth to 10th with 94 points.