California Chrome: A Horse Who Brought Dreams to Life
Renegade Top Choice Over Commandment, Further Ado in Final Pre-Kentucky Derby Power Rankings
RacingEach 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 14 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll covers races through April 26. The three leaders in the power rankings (each garnering a share of the 28 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. (Note: With the scratch of Silent Tactic April 29 due to a foot bruise, Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino winner Albus moved into the top 10.)
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 27, 2026

1. Renegade (17 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
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2. Commandment (6 first-place votes)
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
2026 record: 3 starts– 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, 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

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

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

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

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

Owners: Michael and Katherine G. Ball
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
2026 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Last race: 3rd , 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
8. 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

9. 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: 1st, Jeff Ruby Steaks, March 21 at Turfway Park
Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs
10. Albus
Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Manny Franco
2026 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino, April 4 at Aqueduct
Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 2 at Churchill Downs