California Chrome and Wise Dan stay tops in voting

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Triple Crown race winner California Chrome and two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan continue to sit atop the NTRA Polls for racing through Memorial Day.

California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, for the second straight week received all first-place votes from the 46 voters in the 3-year-old poll. His 460 points gives him a 97 point advantage over second- place Untapable, the only filly in the top 10.

"He just keeps getting stronger," said Alan Sherman, assistant to his father trainer Art Sherman.

California Chrome will make his next start in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 as he tries to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978.

"It's a great ride. Back home (in California) the people have all been really excited and it's been great for Los Alamitos to have this horse stabled there. I'm not looking for this to be over. But me and the horse could probably use a rest," Alan Sherman said.

Untapable, trained by Steve Amussen, is second with 363 points and followed in the voting by Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin (333), Wicked Strong (279), Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve (244), Danza (240), Samraat (149), Tonalist (113), Hoppertunity (80) and Social Inclusion (74).

Wise Dan, recovering from intestinal surgery, is tops in the National Poll with 24 first-place votes and 412 points. Trained by Charlie LoPresti, the 7- year-old gelding will be away from the races for several weeks as he recovers from a twisted small intestine.

Palace Malice, undefeated in three starts in 2014, is second with eight top votes and 389 points. Completing the top 10 are California Chrome (13, 345), Game On Dude (306), Lea (1, 234), Beholder (140), Untapable (133), Will Take Charge (129), Mucho Macho Man (118) and Close Hatches (93).