Which Kentucky Derby Contender Leads the Jan. 31 Best Horses Poll?

Each week, members of the media around the country vote on the nation’s top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Find out the 2023 top 3-year-old rankings below in inaugural poll of the Triple Crown season. This poll will continue through the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets in June.

AMERICA’S TOP THOROUGHBREDS FOR JANUARY 31, 2023

1. Forte

Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

2023 record: N/A

Last race: 1st, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Nov. 4 at Keeneland Race Course

Next race: Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 4 at Gulfstream Park

2. Arabian Knight

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

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

3. 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: TBD, possibly the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford, Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds, or the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 25 at Fair Grounds

4. Cave Rock

Owners: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

2023 record: N/A

Last race: 2nd, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Nov. 4 at Keeneland Race Course

Next race: TBD

5. Victory Formation

Owners: Spendthrift Farm and Frank Fletcher Racing Operations

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Smarty Jones Stakes, Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: TBD, possibly the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford, Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds, or the Rebel Stakes, Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park

6. Blazing Sevens

Owner: Rodeo Creek Racing

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2023 record: N/A

Last race: 4th, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Nov. 4 at Keeneland Race Course

Next race: TBD

7. Havnameltdown

Owners: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, San Vicente Stakes, Jan. 29 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD

8. Reincarnate

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

2023 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Sham Stakes, Jan. 8 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD, possibly the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, April 8 at Santa Anita Park

9. National Treasure

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: John Velazquez

2023 record: 1 start – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 3rd, Sham Stakes, Jan. 8 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD

10. Wonder Wheel

Owner: D. J. Stable

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

2023 record: N/A

Last race: 1st, NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Nov. 3 at Keeneland Race Course

Next race: TBD, possibly the Suncoast Stakes, Feb. 11 at Tampa Bay Downs, or the Davona Dale Stakes, March 4 at Gulfstream Park