Forte Maintains Top Ranking in Kentucky Derby Poll, Mage Cracks the Top 10

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 12 of the 2023 Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the NTRA covers racing performances through April 16, 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 APRIL 17, 2023

1. Forte (32 first-place votes)

Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

2023 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, April 1 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

2. Tapit Trice (4 first-place votes)

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: 1^st, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

3. 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: 1^st, San Felipe Stakes, March 4 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Santa Anita Derby, April 8 at Santa Anita Park

4. Angel of Empire

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2023 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

5. Kingsbarns (1 first-place vote)

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: TBD

2023 record: 3 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 25 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

6. Derma Sotogake

Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma

Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

2023 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1^st, UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis the Royal, March 25 at Meydan Racecourse

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

7. Two Phil’s

Owners: Patricia’s Hope and Phillip Sagan

Trainer: Larry Rivelli

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

2023 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Last race: 1^st, Jeff Ruby Steaks, March 25 at Turfway Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

8. Verifying

Owner: Westerburg, Magnier, Poulin, Smith, Tabor

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

2023 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

9. Mage

Owners: OGMA Investments, Restrepo, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: TBD

2023 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, April 1 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

10. 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: Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, May 6 at Churchill Downs

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