Paladin rises to the top of the latest Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation’s top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (INTRA) Top Thoroughbred Survey.

Week 4 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll includes races through February 15. The poll is led by Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin, followed by the convincing Holy Bull Stakes winner Nearly.

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.

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AMERICA’S TOP 3-YEAR-OLD WHOLE BREADS FOR FEB. 16, 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: 1^stFasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, February 14 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 4 at Keeneland

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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: 1^stHoly Bull Stakes, Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Curlin Florida Derby, March 28 at Gulfstream Park

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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: 1^stSam F. Davis Stakes, Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs

Next race: Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park

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4. Silent tactics

Owner: John C. Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Christian Torres

2026 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 third

Last race: 1^stSouthwest Stakes, Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park

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5. 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: 1^stRobert B. Lewis Stakes, Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Santa Anita Derby, April 4 at Santa Anita Park

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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: 1^stKentucky Jockey Club Stakes, November 29, 2025 at Churchill Downs

Next race: ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs

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7. 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: 3^rdFanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by TAA, October 31, 2025 in Del Mar

Next race: Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park

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8. 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: 3^rdFasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, February 14 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 21 at Fair Grounds

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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: 1^stLos Alamitos Futurity, December 13, 2025 at Los Alamitos

Next race: San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse, March 7 at Santa Anita Park

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10. Napoleon Solo

Owner: Golden Square

Trainer: Chad Summers

Jockey: Joel Rosario

2026 record: 0 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^stChampagne Stakes, October 4, 2025 at Aqueduct

Next race: Coolmore Fountain or Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park, or Gotham Stakes, Feb. 28 at Aqueduct

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