Power Rankings: Kentucky Derby Preps Are Done and Journalism is No. 1

Racing
Journalism, 2025 Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown, NTRA 3-year-old poll
Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism is the new leader in the NTRA power rankings of Triple Crown contenders. (Jon Putman/Eclipse Sportswire)

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 11 of the 2025 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through April 6. The new leader in the poll is Journalism based on his win in the Santa Anita Derby, April 5 at Santa Anita Park, garnering him 26 of the 27 first-place votes. 

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 APRIL 7, 2025

Journalism. (BENOIT photo)

1. Journalism (26 first-place votes)

Owners: Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and LaPenta, Robert V.

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

2025 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Santa Anita Derby, April 5 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Sandman. (Eclipse Sportswire)

2. Sandman

Owners: D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

2025 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Arkansas Derby, March 29 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Tappan Street. (Sophie Shore/Eclipse Sportswire)

3. Tappan Street (1 first-place vote)

Owners: WinStar Farm, CHC, Cold Press Racing

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luis Saez

2025 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa, March 29 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Sovereignty. (Juliana Colombo/Eclipse Sportswire)

4. Sovereignty

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

2025 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 2ndCurlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa, March 29 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Rodriguez. (Jason Moran/Eclipse Sportswire)

5. Rodriguez

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Mike Smith

2025 record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino, April 5 at Aqueduct

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Tiztastic. (Ben Breland/Eclipse Sportswire)

6. Tiztastic

Owners:  Winchell Thoroughbreds, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Joel Rosario

2025 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 22 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Citizen Bull. (Lindsay Affleck/Eclipse Sportswire)

7. Citizen Bull

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan 

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Martin Garcia

2025 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 4th, Santa Anita Derby, April 5 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Coal Battle. (Ben Breland/Eclipse Sportswire)

8. Coal Battle

Owner: Norman Stables

Trainer: Lonnie Briley

Jockey: Juan Vargas

2025 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 3rd, Arkansas Derby, March 29 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs


Good Cheer. (Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire)

9. Good Cheer

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luis Saez

2025 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks, March 22 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Longines Kentucky Oaks, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Baeza. (Lindsay Affleck/Eclipse Sportswire)

10. Baeza

Owners: C R K Stable and Grandview Equine

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Jockey: Hector Berrios

2025 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Santa Anita Derby, April 5 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD

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