Big Weekend Ahead Likely to Impact NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll

A relatively quiet weekend of racing, in terms of stakes action, led to little change in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old and Thoroughbred polls released Feb. 24, but that is likely to change this weekend. Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Paladin remains on top of the 3-year-old poll, but three Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races are on tap this weekend. Gulfstream Park's Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Aqueduct Racetrack's Gotham Stakes (G3) are Feb. 28, and Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes (G2) is the next day on March 1. Gold Square's Napoleon Solo sits 10th in the 3-year-old rankings off his Champagne Stakes (G1) victory in October. Making his first start since that race in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, a solid performance around two turns would likely move him up the rankings. The winner of the Fountain of Youth is sure to place well next week, regardless, based on the perceived quality of the field in the eyes of the rankings. Several other contenders have received praise from the national media who vote on the weekly poll and appear outside the top 10: Commandment (11th), Solitude Dude (18th), Chief Wallabee (19th), and Bravaro (31st). The Rebel has a pair of Top 10 horses entered, with John Oxley's Silent Tactic ranked fifth after winning Oaklawn's last prep, the Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 6. Ninth-ranked Litmus Test also races there in his season debut for six-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, racing for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, and others. The Rebel also has several runners who have received NTRA poll placement in Blackout Time and Strategic Risk, both of whom are tied for 21st. See the full Week 5 rankings.