Fort Larned returns to rankings

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Just one new addition to the top 10 in week 33 of the NTRA National Thoroughbred Poll.

Returning to the rankings is reigning Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned. Trained by Ian Wilkes, the 5-year-old advanced into the 10th spot of the poll with 91 points 16 days after capturing the Homecoming Classic at Churchill Downs.

"Everything has to go right now," Wilkes said the day after the stakes. "Everything has to be perfect, timing has to be right, everything has to be spot-on. You can't make any mistakes now going to the Breeders' Cup."

All other positions in the poll remain unchanged led by first-place horse Game On Dude.

Game On Dude leads the way with 45 first-place votes and 486 points. The 6- year-old, trained by Bob Baffert, will face Fort Larned on Nov. 2 in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

"Game On Dude is obviously the horse to beat," private clocker Gary Young recently told Santa Anita's Ed Golden. "Fort Larned ran a strange race (winning the Homecoming Classic). He looked like he was going to win by 10, and then he kind of just won (by a length and a half)."

Defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan is second with three top votes and 421 points followed by Princess of Sylmar (1, 372), Royal Delta (245), Point of Entry (169), Graydar (164), Will Take Charge (131), Mucho Macho Man (129) and Ron the Greek (105).