Paladins maintain top of power rankings for first time in three years ahead of busy weekend of Derby preparations

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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) Prime Thoroughbred Ballot.

Week 5 of the 2026 NTRA Prime 3-Yr-Outdated Thoroughbred Ballot covers races by way of February twenty second. Voting stays favorites for Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin and Holy Bull Stakes winner A busy weekend approaches for the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve with operating checklist for Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park The Gotham Stakes will likely be run at Aqueduct on February twenty eighth, adopted by the Insurgent Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 1st.

The three-year-old vote represents horses that can 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America’s Prime 3-Yr-Outdated Thoroughbreds for February 2026 twenty third

1. Paladin (25 first place votes)

Proprietor: Susan Magnier, Michael Taber, 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.Virtually (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

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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. 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


5. Silence ways

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 1st at Oaklawn 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. 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


8. Blunt (1 vote for 1st place)

Proprietor: Zedan Horse Racing Secure

coach: bob baffert

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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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: San Felipe Stakes, sponsored by DK Horse, March seventh at Santa Anita Park


9. Litmus paper

Proprietor: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Decided Stables, Golconda Secure, 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: Insurgent Stakes, March 1st at Oaklawn 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 Gulfstream Park


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