The word "frontrunner" is used to describe a person or team who is leading in a competition or race. They are ahead of others and have a good chance of winning. Full definition
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro and Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy have emerged as frontrunners for chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. (pbs.org)
It's been a season marked, refreshingly, by a lack of frontrunners in most major categories. (variety.com)
And now reports in Spain have claimed that Napoli have emerged as frontrunners for his signature after having him scouted during Madrid's midweek Champions League clash with Paris Saint Germain. (caughtoffside.com)