With Kentucky Derby (G1) preps in full swing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll was bound to welcome some new faces. John Oxley's Silent Tactic jumped to sixth place with his dominating win in the Feb. 6 Southwest Stakes (G3).
The son of Tacitus won the Southwest Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, bringing his total Kentucky Derby qualifying points to 25. He is followed on the leaderboard by Robert and Lawana Low and Repole Stable's Sam F. Davis Stakes winner, Renegade, who also has 25 points.
Centennial Farm's Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Nearly sits atop the 3-year-old poll with a clear advantage, drawing 13 first-place votes. Last year's Remsen Stakes (G2) winner Paladin remains in second, receiving five first-place votes. Renegade, Lecomte Stakes (G3) winner Golden Tempo, and 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) victor Further Ado round out the top five.
There was little change to NTRA's Top Thoroughbred Poll, with 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty reigning again with 23 first-place votes, followed by Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner Skippylongstocking, with three votes. Nitrogen's impressive performance against older fillies and mares in the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Feb. 7 at Oaklawn Park elevated her from 10th to fifth on this week's poll.
