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 (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
It takes a quality 3-year-old to be a contender for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. It can also takes some astute planning to earn a spot in the field. For the connections of 10 3-year-olds, a spot in the run for the roses will be on the line this weekend at Colonial Downs.
Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule from which racehorses earn points toward qualifying for the 1 ¼-mile classic race May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs.
With a perfectly timed ride by jockey Juan Hernandez, Potente scored his first graded stakes win in the $201,000 Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes presented by DK Horse March 7 at Santa Anita Park.
The Puma upset favorites Further Ado and Canaletto to win by three-quarters of a length in the $350,000 Grade 3 ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs a
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