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.

Week 1 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll, covers races through Jan. 25. The poll is topped by undefeated 2-year-old champion Ted Noffey. At this stage of the season, many of the top contenders have yet to make their 3-year-old debuts.

The 3-Year-Old poll represents horses competing up and through the Triple Crown. 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 THOROUGHBREDS FOR JAN. 27, 2026

1. Ted Noffey (21 first-place votes)

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

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

Last race: 1^st, FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by TAA, Oct. 31, 2025 at Del Mar

Next race: Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park

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2. Paladin (2 first-place votes)

Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brook Smith, and Summer Wind Equine

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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

Last race: 1^st, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 6, 2025 at Aqueduct

Next race: Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds

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3. Brant

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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

Last race: 3rd, FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by TAA, Oct. 31, 2025 at Del Mar

Next race: TBD

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4. Golden Tempo

Owners: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

2026 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Lecomte Stakes, Jan. 24 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds

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5. Further Ado

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

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

Last race: 1^st, Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Nov. 29, 2025 at Churchill Downs

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

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6. 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 Hernandez

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

Last race: 1^st, Los Alamitos Futurity, Dec. 13, 2025 at Los Alamitos

Next race: Southwest Stakes, Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park

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7. Strategic Risk

Owner: John C. Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Javier Castellano

2026 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Smarty Jones Stakes, Jan. 3 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Southwest Stakes, Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park

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8. Napoleon Solo

Owner: Gold Square

Trainer: Chad Summers

Jockey: Joel Rosario

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

Last race: 1^st, Champagne Stakes, Oct. 4, 2025 at Aqueduct

Next race: Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park, or Gotham Stakes, Feb. 28 at Aqueduct, or ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs

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9. Commandment

Owner: Wathnan Racing

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

2026 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Mucho Macho Man Stakes, Jan. 3 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park

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10. Incredibolt

Owner: Pin Oak Stud

Trainer: Riley Mott

Jockey: Jaime Torres

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

Last race: 1^st, Street Sense Stakes, Oct. 26, 2025 at Churchill Downs

Next race: Holy Bull Stakes, Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park

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