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 6 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through March 1. The poll continues to be led by Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin while the 1-2 finishers in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park , Commandment and Chief Wallabee, moved into the new rankings in second and seventh place, respectively. Winner of the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 28, Iron Honor, and the  Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park winner on March 1, Class President, also moved into the top 10 for the first time.

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 2, 2026

Paladin. (Coglianese Photos/NYRA)

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 (7 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 (1 first-place vote)

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

Silent Tactic. (Ben 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: 2nd, Rebel Stakes, March 1 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: TBD

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

Chief Wallabee. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

7. 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

Further Ado. (Coady Media)

8. Further Ado (1 first-place vote)

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

Brant. (Richard Steele/Eclipse Sportswire)

9 (tie). Brant (1 first-place vote)

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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

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

Next race: San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse, March 7 at Santa Anita Park

Iron Honor. (Coglianese Photos/NYRA)

9 (tie). Iron Honor

Owners: St. Elias Stable, Lawrence, William H. and Glassman Racing

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Manny Franco

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

Last race: 1^st, Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct 

Next race: Wood Memorial Stakes, April 4 at Aqueduct