Forte Solidifies Number One Position in Kentucky Derby Poll

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 5 of the 2023 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the (NTRA) covers racing performances through March 7, 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 THOROUGHBREDS FOR MARCH 7, 2023

1. Forte (34 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: 1^st, Fountain of Youth Stakes, March 4 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Curlin Florida Derby, March 4 at Gulfstream Park

2. Arabian Knight (1 first-place vote)

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Jockey: John Velazquez

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

Last race: 1^st, Southwest Stakes, Jan. 28 at Oaklawn Park

Next race: Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park

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. Instant Coffee 

Owner: Gold Square

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luis Saez

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

Last race: 1^st, 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 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 25 at Fair Grounds, or Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park, or Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course

6. 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: TBD, either Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 25 at Fair Grounds, or Arkansas Derby, April 1 at Oaklawn Park, or Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, April 8 at Keeneland Race Course

7. 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: 2^nd, Holy Bull Stakes, Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Curlin Florida Derby, March 4 at Gulfstream Park

8. Cave Rock

Owners: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

2023 record: N/A

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

Next race: TBD

9. 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: 1^st, Withers Stakes, Feb. 11 at Aqueduct

Next race: Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino, April 8 at Aqueduct

10. Tapit Trice

Owners: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Luis Saez

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

Last race: 1^st, allowance optional claiming race, Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, March 11 at Tampa Bay Downs

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