No Change at Top of Latest Poll as Sierra Leone Leads List of Triple Crown Contenders

Racing
Sierra Leone leads the competition, in the Blue Grass Stakes and in the NTRA poll of top 3-year-olds. (Coady Photography)

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 13 of the 2024 Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the NTRA covers racing performances through April 21, 2024.

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 22, 2024

Sierra Leone. (Coady Photography)

1. Sierra Leone (22 first-place votes)

Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, Peter M. Brant

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes,  April 6 at Keeneland

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Fierceness. (Coady Photography)

2. Fierceness  (11 first-place votes)

Owner: Repole Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

2024 record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, March 30  at Gulfstream Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Muth. (BENOIT photo)

3. Muth (1 first-place vote)

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey:  Juan Hernandez

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Arkansas Derby, March 30 at Oaklawn Park

Next race:  Preakness Stakes, May 18 at Pimlico


Catching Freedom. (BENOIT photo)

4. Catching Freedom 

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables

TrainerBrad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2024 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Last race: 1st, Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, March 23 at Fair Grounds

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Stronghold. (Coady Photography)

5. Stronghold

Owners: Eric Waller and Sharon Waller

Trainer: Phil D'Amato

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Santa Anita Derby, April 6 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Forever Young. (Coady Photography)

6. Forever Young

Owner: Susumo Fujita

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis the Royal, March 30 at Meydan Racecourse

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Nysos. (BENOIT photo)

7. Nysos 

Owner: Baoma Corp.

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Flavien Prat

2024 record: 1 start – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Feb. 3 at Santa Anita Park

Next race: TBD, sidelined due to minor injury reported March 12


Resilience. (Coady Photography)

8. Resilience

Owners: Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: John Velazquez

2024 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino,  April 6 at Aqueduct

Next race:  Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Just a Touch. (Coady Photography)

9. Just a Touch

Owners: Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing, Marc Detampel

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey:  Florent Geroux

2024 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 2nd, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes,  April 6 at Keeneland

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


Endlessly. (Coady Photography)

10. Endlessly

Owners: Amerman Racing

Trainer: Michael McCarthty

Jockey: Umberto Rispoili

2024 record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Last race: 1st, Jeff Ruby Steaks, March 23 at Turfway Park

Next race: Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, May 4 at Churchill Downs


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