TDN Derby Top 12: February Kicks Off With Four Stakes, Six Ranked Contenders

Nearly Enters Top 10 of NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll at No. 1 after Convincing Victory in Holy Bull Stakes (G3); Ted Noffey, Now Off Kentucky Derby Trail, Drops to No. 10

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll - February 2, 2026 Week 2 of the 2026 NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll and the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), covering racing performances through February 1. Voting is conducted by national media. The 3-Year-Old poll represents horses competing up and through the

TDN Derby Top 12: February Kicks Off With Four Stakes, Six Ranked Contenders

Last week's news that juvenile champ and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) was off the GI Kentucky Derby trail because of bone bruising resulted in a No. 1 vacancy. I went right down to deadline trying to figure out which of the top three listed below should be the new kingpin. I felt I could have made a cogent case for any of them being No. 1. However, I also feel that from No. 4 on down right now it's a kaleido…

Kentucky Derby points: Nearly, Golden Tempo are tied for 1st

The departure of juvenile champion Ted Noffey from the road to Kentucky Derby 2026 plus a win by Nearly in the Grade 3 Holy Bull means there now is a tie for first place on the leaderboard. Nearly, who is 3-for-4 after Saturday's win for trainer Todd Pletcher, is tied with Lecomte (G3) winner Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, for second with 20 points each. The five top finishers in the Holy Bull – Bravaro, Project Ace, Cannoneer and Globa…