Kentucky Derby Power Rankings Point to Renegade as the Horse to Beat

Racing
Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby Power Rankings, Renegade, NTRA 3-year-old poll
Renegade was far ahead of his rivals in the Arkansas Derby and leads the competition again atop the Kentucky Derby Power Rankings. (Tommy Land/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 13 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through April 19. The three leaders in the power rankings (each garnering a share of the 32 first-place votes) are Renegade based on his win in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby March 28 at Oaklawn Park, Commandment based on his win in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa March 28 at Gulfstream Park, and Further Ado based on his win in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 4 at Keeneland.

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 MAY 20, 2026

Renegade. (SV Photography)

1. Renegade (19 first-place votes)

Owners: Robert Low, Lawana Low, and Repole Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

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

Last race: 1st, Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Commandment. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

2. Commandment (8 first-place votes)

Owner: Wathnan Racing

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luis Saez

2026 record: 3 starts– 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1stCurlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, March 28 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Further Ado. (Coady Media)

3. Further Ado (5 first-place votes)

Owners: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: John Velazquez

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

Last race: 1st, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 4 at Keeneland

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


The Puma. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

4. The Puma

Owners: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

2026 record: 4 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 2nd, Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, March 28 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


So Happy. (BENOIT photo)

5. So Happy

Owners: Norman Stables and Saints and Sinners

Trainer: Mark Glatt

Jockey: Mike Smith

2026 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Santa Anita Derby, April 4 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Emerging Market. (Hodges Photography.)

6. Emerging Market 

Owner: Klaravich Stables

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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

Last race: 1st, Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 21 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Chief Wallabee. (Coglianese Photos/Gulfstream Park)

7. Chief Wallabee

Owners: Michael and Katherine G. Ball

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

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

Last race: 3rdCurlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, March 28 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Silent Tactic. (Bentley Breland/Eclipse Sportswire)

8. Silent Tactic

Owner: John C. Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Cristian Torres

2026 record: 4 starts – 1 win – 3 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Arkansas Derby, March 28 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Potente. (BENOIT photo)

9. Potente

Owner: Speedway Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

2026 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Santa Anita Derby, April 4 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


Fulleffort. (Coady Media)

10. Fulleffort

Owners: St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

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

Last race: 1stJeff Ruby Steaks, March 21 at Turfway Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs


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