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 2023 Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the NTRA covers racing performances through March 21, 2023.
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 21, 2023
1. Forte (37 first-place votes)
Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 4 at Gulfstream Park
Next race: Curlin Florida Derby, April 1 at Gulfstream Park
2. Practical Move (1 first-place vote)
Owners: Leslie Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. and Roger Beasley
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, San Felipe Stakes, March 4 at Santa Anita Park
Next race: Santa Anita Derby, April 8 at Santa Anita Park
3. Tapit Trice
Owners: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
2023 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, March 11 at Tampa Bay Downs
Next race: Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course
4. Instant Coffee
Owner: Gold Square
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Lecomte Stakes, Jan. 21 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 25 at Fair Grounds
5. Confidence Game
Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham
2023 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third
Last race: 1st, Rebel Stakes, Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park
Next race: TBD, either the Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park, or Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course
6. Rocket Can
Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
2023 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 2nd, Holy Bull Stakes, Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park
Next race: TBD, either the Curlin Florida Derby, April 1 at Gulfstream Park, Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park, or Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course
7. Angel of Empire
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
2023 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Lincoln and Lamarque Crescent City Ford , Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds
Next race: Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park
8. Hit Show
Owners: Gary and Mary West
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Manny Franco
2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Withers Stakes, Feb. 11 at Aqueduct
Next race: TBD, either the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino, April 8 at Aqueduct, or the Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park
9. Reincarnate
Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: John Velazquez
2023 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third
Last race: 3rd, Rebel Stakes, Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park
Next race: Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park
10. Arabian Knight
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: John Velazquez
2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Southwest Stakes, Jan. 28 at Oaklawn Park
Next race: TBD
