Opening NTRA Polls have Game On Dude and Itsmyluckyday leading

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The first NTRA Thoroughbred Polls of 2013 have been released with Game On Dude and Itsmyluckyday sitting first in their respective listings.

Game On Dude, trained by Bob Baffert, leads the National Poll after dominating Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap by almost eight-lengths. The 6- year-old gelding, who began the year by winning the San Antonio Stakes, received 31 first-place votes for 468 points.

Royal Delta, two-time winner of the Ladies' Classic, opens second in the voting with four top votes and 342 points. Trained by Bill Mott, the 5-year- old mare won the Sabin Stakes by five-lengths to begin her season.

In third is Point of Entry based on his victory this winter in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap over Animal Kingdom who is ninth in the poll. Second in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf, Point of Entry got one first-place vote and 277 points.

Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan is fourth without yet competing. Trained by Charles Lopresti, the 6-year-old gelding received 10 top votes and 264 points.

Breeders' Cup Classic champ Fort Larned comes in at fifth in the voting with three first-place votes and 211 points. Trained by Ian Wilkes, the 5-year-old will make his 2013 debut in Saturday's Gulfstream Park Handicap.

The initial Top 10 is completed by Donn Handicap winner Graydar (177), Big 'Cap runner-up Ron the Greek (140), Kilroe Mile champ Suggestive Boy (125), Animal Kingdom (102) and Breeders' Cup Mile winner Little Mike (1, 69).

Leading the NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll is Itsmyluckyday, winner of two stakes this year at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Ed Plesa Jr., the colt received 15 first- place votes and 358 points.

Orb, winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, is second with seven top votes and 352 points. Itsmyluckyday and Orb are expected to meet in the Florida Derby on March 30.

Gotham Stakes winner Vyjack has 10 first-place votes and 324 points for third in the voting. The gelding's next start will be the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 6.

Undefeated Verrazano is fourth with three top votes and 265 points. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt will start in Saturday's Tampa Bay Derby.

The fifth spot goes to champion colt Shanghai Bobby. Second in the Holy Bull, the Pletcher colt has three first-place votes and 264 points.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Lewis Stakes winner Flashback (3, 240), Withers Stakes champ Revolutionary (4, 214), Sham Stakes winner Goldencents (1, 169), Southwest Stakes champ Super Ninety Nine (1, 167) and Juvenile Fillies winner Beholder (1, 55).