Every week, members of the nationwide media vote for the nation’s main candidates within the Triple Crown race within the Nationwide Thoroughbred Racing Affiliation (NTRA) High Thoroughbred Ballot.
Week 4 of the 2026 NTRA High 3-12 months-Outdated Thoroughbred Ballot covers races via February fifteenth. Voting is led by Fasig Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin, adopted by Holy Bull Stakes winner Neary.
The three-year-old vote represents horses that may compete as much as the Triple Crown. Rankings are based mostly on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 voting system. The variety of votes for 1st place is in parentheses.
America’s High 3-12 months-Outdated Thoroughbreds for February 2026 16
1. Paladin (25 first place votes)
Proprietor: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brooke Smith, Summer season Wind Equine
coach: chad brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Data for 2026: 1 begin – 1 win – 0 second – 0 third
Final race: 1centFasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 14, on the Fairgrounds.
Subsequent race: Toyota Bluegrass Stakes, April 4th at Keeneland
2.Nearly (5 votes for 1st place)
Proprietor: Centennial Farms
coach: tod plecher
Jockey: John Velasquez
Data for 2026: 2 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Final race: 1centHoly Bull Stakes, Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park
Subsequent race: Curlin Florida Derby March 28 at Gulfstream Park
3. Renegade
Proprietor: Robert Rowe, Lawana Rowe, Lepore Stables
coach: tod plecher
Jockey: Airado Ortiz Jr.
Data for 2026: 1 begin – 1 win – 0 second – 0 third
Final race: 1centSam F. Davis Stakes, Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs
Subsequent race: Arkansas Derby, March 28 Oaklawn Park
4. Techniques of silence
Proprietor: John C. Oxley
coach: mark cass
Jockey: Christian Torres
Data for 2026: 2 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 0 three innings
Final race: 1centSouthwest Stakes, February sixth at Oaklawn Park
Subsequent race: Insurgent Stakes, March 1 Oaklawn Park
5. Plutarch
Proprietor: Susan Magnia, Michael Taber, Derrick Smith
coach: bob baffert
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Data for 2026: 1 begin – 1 win – 0 second – 0 third
Final race: 1centRobert B. Lewis Stakes, February 7, Santa Anita Park.
Subsequent race: Santa Anita Derby, April 4th at Santa Anita Park
6. Additional Preface (1 vote for 1st place)
Proprietor: Spendthrift Farm
coach: brad cox
Jockey: Airado Ortiz Jr.
Data for 2026: 0 begins – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Final race: 1centKentucky Jockey Membership Stakes, November 29, 2025, Churchill Downs
Subsequent race: Esmark Tampa Bay Derby, March 7, Tampa Bay Downs
7. Blunt (1 vote for 1st place)
Proprietor: Zedan Horse Racing Steady
coach: bob baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Data for 2026: 0 begins – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Final race: 3rdFanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presenter by TAA, October 31, 2025, Del Mar
Subsequent race: Insurgent Stakes, March 1st at Oaklawn Park
8. Golden time
Proprietor: Phipps Stables and St. Elias Stables
coach: Shelley Deveaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Data for 2026: 2 begins – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third
Final race: 3rdFasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 14, on the Fairgrounds.
Subsequent race: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 21, Fairgrounds
9. Litmus paper
Proprietor: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Decided Stables, Golconda Steady, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Donovan, Catherine
coach: bob baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Data for 2026: 0 begins – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Final race: 1centLos Alamitos Futurity, December 13, 2025, Los Alamitos
Subsequent race: San Felipe Stakes, sponsored by DK Horse, March seventh at Santa Anita Park
10. Napoleon Solo
Proprietor: gold sq.
coach: Chad Summers
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Data for 2026: 0 begins – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Final race: 1centChampagne Stakes, October 4, 2025, Suidobashi
Subsequent race: Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, February twenty eighth at Gulfstream Park or Gotham Stakes, February twenty eighth at Aqueduct
