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 7 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through March 8. The poll continues to be led by Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin. Two horses moved into the top 10 for the first time this week including ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby winner The Puma at No. 9, and San Felipe Stakes presented by DK Horse winner Potente at No. 7.

The 3-Year-Old poll represents horses competing up to 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.

AMERICA’S TOP 3-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBREDS FOR MARCH 9, 2026

Paladin. (Hodges Photography.)

1. Paladin (21 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^st, Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes, Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds

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

Commandment. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

2. Commandment (8 first-place votes)

Owners: Wathnan Racing

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

2026 record: 2 starts– 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park

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

Nearly. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

3. Nearly (2 first-place votes)

Owner: Centennial Farms

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

2026 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Holy Bull Stakes, Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park

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

Class President. (Coady Media)

4. Class President

Owners: WinStar Farm, LLC, First Go Racing and CHC, Inc.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

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

Last race: 1^st, Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park 

Next race: TBD, possibly Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park

Silent Tactic. (Bentley Breland/Eclipse Sportswire)

5. Silent Tactic

Owner: John C. Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Cristian Torres

2026 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 2^nd, Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park

Renegade. (SV Photography)

6. Renegade 

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^st, Sam F. Davis Stakes, Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs

Next race: Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park

Potente. (BENOIT photo)

7. Potente

Owner: Speedway Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

2026 record: 2 stars – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, San Felipe Stakes presented by DK Horse, March 7 at Santa Anita Park

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

Chief Wallabee. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

8. Chief Wallabee

Owners: Michael and Katherine G. Ball

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

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

Last race: 2nd, Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park

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

The Puma. (Juliana Colombo/Eclipse Sportswire)

9. The Puma

Owners: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

2026 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Last race: 1^st, ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs

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

Further Ado. (Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire)

10. Further Ado 

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

2026 record: 1 start – 0 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs

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