Two days after seeing his 2-year-old male champion Ted Noffey knocked off the road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve due to injury, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher apparently found a talented replacement.
Pegasus World Cup weekend at Gulfstream Park resulted in significant movement on the Equibase Leaderboard, particularly within the older divisions. Seven graded stakes races were contested, showcasing strong performances across multiple surfaces and featuring the first North American Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series race of the year.
BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
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 1 of the 2026 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll, covers races through Jan. 25. The poll is topped by undefeated 2-year-old champion Ted Noffey. At this stage of the season, many of the top contenders have yet to make their 3-year-old debuts.
