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 9 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through March 22. The poll continues to be led by Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin. New in the top 10 this week is Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby winner Emerging Market, debuting at No. 6.

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 23, 2026

Paladin. (Hodges Photography.)

1. Paladin (22 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)

Owner: Wathnan Racing

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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. (Sophie Shore/Eclipse Sportswire)

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: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 4 at Keeneland

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

Emerging Market. (Hodges Photography.)

6. Emerging Market (1 first-place vote)

Owner: Klaravich Stables

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

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

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

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

Renegade. (SV Photography)

7. 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)

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

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

Potente. (BENOIT photo)

9. 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

The Puma. (Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire)

10. 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: Curlin Florida Derby, March 28 at Gulfstream Park