Splendora leads newest Top Midlantic-bred Poll
Md-bred owns 5 graded wins in ’26
Press Release
October 6, 2026
Splendora, the Maryland-bred mare who owns five graded stakes wins thus far in 2026, is the leader in the newest Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll, voting for which was completed Oct. 2.
This newest poll is the first in which all ages are combined. Splendora led among older horses in the most recent prior poll, which was released Aug. 3, while Big Cuddle was rated the top 3-year-old. Big Cuddle is ranked eighth in the new poll.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
The combined list includes two three-year-olds, with West Virginia-bred filly At a Premium, recently second in the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks, now in seventh along with Big Cuddle in eighth. There are no two-year-olds on the list.
Because voting was completed prior to the weekend, two notable developments were not considered by voters. On Friday evening Emphatic, a two-year-old Pennsylvania-bred filly, ran her career record to 3-for-3 with a win in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland. Then on Saturday, Maryland-bred Barbadian Runner became racing’s newest millionaire with a win in Delaware Park’s Battery Park Stakes.
Six of the 10 horses in the top lists were bred in Maryland. Two were bred in Pennsylvania, while one was bred in each of New Jersey and West Virginia. Seven are males, and three are females.
TOP MIDLANTIC-BREDS
| RANK | HORSE INFO | MOST RECENT START |
| 1 | Splendora (MD), 5M by Audible-Miss Freeze, by Frost Giant; bred by The Elkstone Group LLC and trained by Bob Baffert for Boyd Racing and By Talla Racing LLC. 2026 highlights: Won G1 Beholder Mile, G2 Locust Grove, G2 Molly Pitcher S., G2 Shawnee S., G2 D. Wayne Lukas S. | Won G2 Locust Grove S. |
| 2 | Book’em Danno (NJ), 4G by Bucchero-Adorabella, by Ghostzapper; bred by Gregory J. Kilka & Bright View Farm and trained by Derek Ryan for Atlantic Six Racing, LLC. 2026 highlights: Won G3 True North, Mr. Prospector S. | Won Mr. Prospector S. |
| 3 | Quint’s Brew (MD), 5G by Mosler-Gansett, by Jump Start; bred by Paul W. Berube, Karen Linnell & Spinnaker Hill Farm and trained by Ned Allard for Paul W. Berube, Karen Linnell & Heather Hunter. 2026 highlights: Won Alapocas Run S., Frank Whiteley S., Jennings S., Not for Love S. | 2nd Mr. Prospector S. |
| 4 | Simply Joking (PA), 4F by Practical Joke-Imply, by E Dubai; bred by Barlar, LLC and trained by Michael McCarthy for Berkels0813 LLC, CMNWLTH, LLC, Grantley Acres and Ryan Conner. 2026 highlights: Won G3 Santa Maria, 2nd G2 Santa Margarita S., 2nd G3 Princess Rooney S., 3rd G1 Clement Hirsch | 2nd G3 Princess Rooney S. |
| 5 | Senior Officer (MD), 5G by Into Mischief-Southern Ring, by Speightstown; bred by 2500 Determined Stud and trained by Brad Cox for Qatar Racing LLC. 2026 highlights: 2nd G1 Forego, 3rd G3 Vosburgh | 3rd G3 Vosburgh |
| 6 | Wild Vine (PA), 7G by Red Vine-Praslin, by Even the Score; bred by R R Equine Stables LLC and trained by Jamie Ness for Super C Racing Inc. and Jagger Inc.. 2026 highlights: Won Parx Dirt Mile, Native Dancer S. | Won Parx Dirt Mile |
| 7 | At a Premium (WV), 3F by Great Notion-La Medalla de Oro, by Langfuhr; bred by Jill Daniel and trained by David Walters for Jill Daniel and Michael Miller. 2026 highlights: Won Sylvia Bishop Memorial S., 2nd G2 Charles Town Oaks | 2nd G2 Charles Town Oaks |
| 8 | Big Cuddle (MD), 3C by Great Notion-Frechette, by El Padrino; bred by Two Legends Farm and trained by Gary Capuano for Pocket 3’s Racing LLC. 2026 highlights: Won Delaware Derby, Sir Barton S. | Won Delaware Derby |
| 9 | Barbadian Runner (MD), 4G by Barbados-Quiet Run, by Northern Afleet; bred by Shamrock Farm and trained by Henry Walters for AJ Will Win Stables LLC. 2026 highlights: Won Battery Park S., Deputed Testamony S. | Won Battery Park S. |
| 10 | Thundering (MD), 4G by Mosler-Keep Right, by Street Cry; bred by Jai Dastur and trained by Derek Ryan for Dastur Racing. 2026 highlights: Won Find S., Japan Racing Assoc. S., 3rd G2 United Nations | Won Find S. |
| ALSO | Heavy Pour, Ryan’s Run, Irish Jig, Dazzling Dame, Seismic Beauty, Ponder and Dream, Gigante, Cruise the Nile, Keys Discount, Haileysfirstnotion, Teachintherelease, Hark Theangelssing |
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
The monthly Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred is the only publication devoted to Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Racing Biz, an online publication, is the independent voice for mid-Atlantic racing and breeding.
The poll is conducted of media members and others involved in the Thoroughbred industry and restricted to horses that have run in 2026 and were bred in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas.
Participating Voters: Ted Black (freelance writer), Michael Campbell (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey), Joe Clancy (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Cindy Deubler (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Linda Dougherty (freelance), Debbie Easter (Virginia Thoroughbred Association), Paul Espinosa (Charles Town Races), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Nick Hahn (freelance), Carol Holden (West Virginia Breeders Classics), Tom LaMarra (Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Averie Levanti (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), Jeff Nations (freelance), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), John Piassek (freelance), Gary Quill (The Racing Biz), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Brian Sanfratello (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), Chris Sobocinski (Delaware Park), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).
LATEST NEWS
