
The Basics: How to Bet the Kentucky Derby
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 8 of the 2025 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll, covers races through March 16. The leader in the poll remains Citizen Bull, who won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 1. This week's big mover into the rankings was American Promise, who enters the top 10 at No. 8 after a runaway win in the $500,000 Virginia Derby March 15 at Colonial Downs.
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 18, 2025
1. Citizen Bull (13 first-place votes)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
2025 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Feb. 1 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: Santa Anita Derby, April 5 at Santa Anita Park
2. Journalism (10 first-place votes)
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
2025 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, DK Horse San Felipe Stakes, March 1 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: Santa Anita Derby, April 5 at Santa Anita Park
3. Sovereignty (1 first-place vote)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
2025 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 1 at Gulfstream Park
Next race: Curlin Florida Derby, March 29 at Gulfstream Park
4. Coal Battle (2 first-place votes)
Owner: Norman Stables
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Juan Vargas
2025 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Rebel Stakes, Feb. 22 at Oaklawn Park
Next race: TBD, possibly the Arkansas Derby, March 29 at Oaklawn Park, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 5 at Keeneland, or Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs
5. Barnes
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
2025 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 2nd, DK Horse San Felipe Stakes, March 1 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: TBD
Owner: Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2025 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs
Next race: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 5 at Keeneland
7. John Hancock
Owners: CHC and WinStar Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
2025 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Sam F. Davis Stakes, Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs
Next race: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 22 at Fair Grounds
Owner: BC Stables
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez
2025 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Virginia Derby, March 15 at Colonial Downs
Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 3 at Churchill Downs
9. Disco Time
Owner: Juddmonte
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
2025 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Lecomte Stakes, Jan. 18 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Arkansas Derby, March 29 at Oaklawn Park, or Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 5 at Keeneland
10. Flood Zone
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez
2025 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Gotham Stakes, March 1 at Aqueduct
Next race: UAE Derby, April 5 at Meydan Racecourse