Each week, a panel comprising members of the national media votes on the country’s leading contenders on the Triple Crown pathway for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
The fifth installment of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll encompasses races conducted up to February 22. The survey continues to be headed by Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes victor Paladin and impressive Holy Bull Stakes winner Nearly, heading into a busy weekend on the route to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with the upcoming Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on February 28, followed by the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 1.
The 3-Year-Old poll features horses that are competing up to and throughout the Triple Crown. Rankings are determined using a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 point system. Votes for first place are noted within parentheses.
AMERICA’S FOREMOST 3-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBREDS FOR FEBRUARY 23, 2026
1. Paladin (25 first-place votes)
Ownership Group: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brook Smith, and Summer Wind Equine
Head Trainer: Chad Brown
Race Rider: Tyler Gaffalione
2026 Performance Log: 1 entry – 1 victory – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, February 14 at Fair Grounds
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 4 at Keeneland
2. Nearly (5 first-place votes)
Ownership Group: Centennial Farms
Head Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Race Rider: John Velazquez
2026 Performance Log: 2 entries – 2 victories – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Holy Bull Stakes, January 31 at Gulfstream Park
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Curlin Florida Derby, March 28 at Gulfstream Park
3. Renegade
Ownership Group: Robert Low, Lawana Low, and Repole Stable
Head Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Race Rider: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2026 Performance Log: 1 entry – 1 victory – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Sam F. Davis Stakes, February 7 at Tampa Bay Downs
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park
4. Plutarch
Ownership Group: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Head Trainer: Bob Baffert
Race Rider: Florent Geroux
2026 Performance Log: 1 entry – 1 victory – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, February 7 at Santa Anita Park
Subsequent Scheduled Event: TBD, withdrawn from the Road to the Derby prep series on Feb. 25 per a Churchill Downs release
5. Silent Tactic
Ownership Group: John C. Oxley
Head Trainer: Mark Casse
Race Rider: Cristian Torres
2026 Performance Log: 2 entries – 1 victory – 1 runner-up placement – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Southwest Stakes, February 6 at Oaklawn Park
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park
6. Further Ado (1 first-place vote)
Ownership Group: Spendthrift Farm
Head Trainer: Brad Cox
Race Rider: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2026 Performance Log: 0 entries – 0 victories – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, November 29, 2025 at Churchill Downs
Subsequent Scheduled Event: ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs
7. Golden Tempo
Ownership Group: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
Head Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Race Rider: Jose Ortiz
2026 Performance Log: 2 entries – 1 victory – 0 runner-up placements – 1 show finish
Most Recent Competition: 3rd, Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, February 14 at Fair Grounds
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 21 at Fair Grounds
8. Brant (1 first-place vote)
Ownership Group: Zedan Racing Stables
Head Trainer: Bob Baffert
Race Rider: Flavien Prat
2026 Performance Log: 0 entries – 0 victories – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 3rd, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by TAA, October 31, 2025 at Del Mar
Subsequent Scheduled Event: San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse, March 7 at Santa Anita Park
9. Litmus Test
Ownership Group: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
Head Trainer: Bob Baffert
Race Rider: Juan Hernandez
2026 Performance Log: 0 entries – 0 victories – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Los Alamitos Futurity, December 13, 2025 at Los Alamitos
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park
10. Napoleon Solo
Ownership Group: Gold Square
Head Trainer: Chad Summers
Race Rider: Joel Rosario
2026 Performance Log: 0 entries – 0 victories – 0 runner-up placements – 0 show finishes
Most Recent Competition: 1st, Champagne Stakes, October 4, 2025 at Aqueduct
Subsequent Scheduled Event: Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, February 28 at Gulfstream Park
