AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—JULY 10, 2020—The second edition of the AQHA Racing National Polls for this year features new horses in the top spots as Hotstempting took the No. 1 position among 3-year-olds and up and Cyber Monday ascended to the peak of the 2-year-old rankings. The polls include racing action through July 5.

In the older horse poll, Hotsempting moved up from No. 2 in the first poll in June after dominating her Rainbow Derby (G1) trial on July 5 at Ruidoso Downs to post the fastest qualifying time for the $710,127 final on July 18. The daughter of Tempting Dash is undefeated in four starts this year, including a victory in the Ruidoso Derby (G1).

Dexxter, a two-time Grade 1 winner at Remington Park who topped the first poll of the year, slipped to No. 2. Fernweh moved up from No. 4 to No. 3 following her easy trial win to qualify for the July 18, $315,612 Rainbow Oaks at Ruidoso Downs.

The lone newcomer in the older horse poll was Chocolatito, who debuted at No. 8 after picking up his second graded stakes win of the year in the July 5, $157,400 Vessels Maturity (G1) at Los Alamitos.

In the 2-year-old poll, Cyber Monday jumped from a tie for No. 2 in the last poll to No. 1 after winning his July 3 trial and qualifying to the July 19, $1 million Rainbow Futurity (G1). The Favorite Cartel colt is undefeated in three starts, highlighted by a win in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1).

Chance To Excel, also a son of Favorite Cartel, made his first appearance in the poll, landing at No. 2 after winning the June 21 $1,115,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1) at Los Alamitos. The gelding has since undergone knee surgery and is likely to miss the rest of 2020.

The next set of AQHA Racing Polls will be released following the weekend of July 20-21.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND OLDER

1. HOTSEMPTING (94)
2. DEXXTER (79)
3. FERNWEH (62)
4. TELL CARTEL (61)
5. DREAMS DIVINE (48)
6. LOVE IS EVERYTHING V (43)
7. INAUGURATOR (36)
8. CHOCOLATITO (32)
9. EAGLES FLY HIGHER (28)
10. CERS FINAL TRY (23)

BOS TIME MACHINE (13), SOUTHERN WAGON (5), COUNTRY BOY 123 (4), APOLLITICAL J WILD (3), HOOKED ON A WIN (3), JESS B GLORY (3), WRS APOLLITICALIVORY (3), CHAMPAGNE ROOM (2), MPSHINNING (2), RITE QUICK (1), SC MONEY MAKER (1).

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS

1. CYBER MONDAY (95)
2. CHANCE TO EXCEL (80)
3. SHOTT GUN (72)
4. AINT SHE TEMPTING (71)
5. LA JACONDE (45)
6. SIR LOUISIANA DASH (41)
7. (tie) MISSCANDYMOUNTAIN (31)
7. (tie)SHEZA FREIGHTTRAIN T (31)
9. (tie) LEADING CARTEL (16)
9. (tie) TERRIFIC TEMPER (16)

WHISTLE STOP CAFE (11), FOR THE IRONY (7), INSTYGATOR (7), BEST OF YOU (6), DANGEROUS CARTEL (5), JETTZ (3), WRYKER (3), DALTS FANCY PISTOL (2), OUR SECRET WEAPON (2), WHATAHISTORIC MOMENT (2), JET WINGS ONE (1), MISTER ILLUSION (1).

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The integrity of American Quarter Horse racing is of utmost importance to AQHA. As part of a multifaceted effort to ensure integrity, AQHA has instituted a policy concerning awards and publicity that makes horses with racing medication positives and horses trained by trainers with racing medication positives ineligible for the AQHA Racing National Polls. CLICK HERE to read the complete policy.

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Remember Me Rose has been named an AQHA Dam of Distinction. © AQHA/Christine Hamilton