Week 5 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through February 22. The poll is still led by Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin and the convincing Holy Bull Stakes winner. Almost into a busy weekend heading into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with the running of the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on February 28 and the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 1 coming up.
The 3-year poll represents horses competing in and through the Triple Crown. The rankings are based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 voting system. First place votes are in parentheses.
AMERICA’S TOP 3-YEAR-OLD WHOLE BREADS FOR FEB. 23, 2026
1. Paladin (25 first place votes)
Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
2026 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stFasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, February 14 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 4 at Keeneland
2. Almost (5 first place votes)
Owner: Centenary farms
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Johannes Velázquez
2026 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stHoly Bull Stakes, Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park
Next race: Curlin Florida Derby, March 28 at Gulfstream Park
3. Apostate
Owners: Robert Low, Lawana Low and Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2026 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stSam F. Davis Stakes, Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs
Next race: Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park
4. Plutarch
Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Florent Geroux
2026 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stRobert B. Lewis Stakes, Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: TBD, withdrawn from the Road to the Derby preliminary series on February 25 according to a release from Churchill Downs
5. Silent tactics
Owner: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Christian Torres
2026 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 third
Last race: 1stSouthwest Stakes, Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park
Next race: Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park
6. Further delay (1 first place vote)
Owner: Wasteful farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2026 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stKentucky Jockey Club Stakes, November 29, 2025 at Churchill Downs
Next race: ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs
7. Golden age
Owners: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
2026 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third
Last race: 3rdFasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, February 14 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 21 at Fair Grounds
8. Brant (1 first place vote)
Owner: Zedan racing stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
2026 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 3rdFanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by TAA, October 31, 2025 in Del Mar
Next race: San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse, March 7 at Santa Anita Park
9. Litmus test
Owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernández
2026 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stLos Alamitos Futurity, December 13, 2025 at Los Alamitos
Next race: Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park
10. Napoleon Solo
Owner: Golden Square
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Joel Rosario
2026 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1stChampagne Stakes, October 4, 2025 at Aqueduct
Next race: Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park
#Paladin #remains #top #power #rankings #3yearolds #heading #busy #weekend #preparation #Derby