Forte Stands Alone Atop Final Pre-Derby NTRA 3-Year-Old 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 14 of the 2023 NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll, covers racing performances through April 30. A flip-flop between the seventh and eighth horses on this list was the only change from the previous week.

The Three-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 MAY 1, 2023

1. Forte (28 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 (2 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: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1^st, Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, April 8 at Santa Anita Park

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

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: Jose Ortiz

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 (1 first-place vote)

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. 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

8. 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

9. Mage

Owners: OGMA Investments, Restrepo, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

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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