Commandment has climbed to second place in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's top 3-year-old poll following his victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. The colt, trained by Brad Cox, edged out Chief Wallabee by a neck at Gulfstream Park. Paladin holds onto the top spot amid shifts in the rankings.
The latest NTRA poll, covering performances through March 1, 2026, highlights significant movements among top 3-year-old thoroughbreds. Commandment, a 3-year-old colt sired by Into Mischief, advanced from 11th to second place after his win in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. With a career record now at 4 starts, 3 wins, and no seconds or thirds, he earned seven first-place votes and 253 points.
Paladin remains at the top with 21 first-place votes and 291 points. Nearly slipped to third, receiving one first-place vote and 211 points, down from 13 the previous week. Class President entered the poll at fourth with 196 points, boosted by his success in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. Chief Wallabee also rose notably, from 19th to seventh, based on his runner-up finish in the Fountain of Youth.
In the broader NTRA top thoroughbred poll, Sovereignty stayed first with 15 first-place votes and 262 points, though his lead over Forever Young narrowed. Forever Young moved up to second with 14 first-place votes and 226 points after winning the Saudi Cup. Knightsbridge jumped from 11th to fifth with 144 points, while Magnitude climbed from 26th to sixth with 138 points. Nitrogen fell from fifth to eighth with 128 points.
These rankings, voted on by national media, use a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 point system for the top 10. The 3-year-old poll focuses on horses through the Triple Crown, and the top thoroughbred poll runs until after the Breeders' Cup on November 3.
