A total of 347 3-year-olds, headed by juvenile champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court (Court Vision), were nominated to this year's Triple Crown during the early nomination phase, which closed Jan. 25. All of the newly-turned 3-year-olds were nominated with a $600 payment to run in this season's GI Kentucky Derby May 2; GI Preakness S. May 16; and the GI Belmont S. June 6. The total decreased 4.1% (15 horses) from last year's 362 that were nominated at this stage.
Leading the fray is Exline-Border Racing LLC, David A. Bernsen, Susanna Wilson and Dan Hudock's Storm the Court, who is scheduled to make his sophomore debut in the GII San Vicente S. Sunday. Other prominent nominees include stakes winners Authentic (Into Mischief) (GIII Sham S.); Basin (Liam's Map) (GI Hopeful S.); Chance It (Currency Swap) (Mucho Macho Man S.); Dennis' Moment (Tiznow) (GIII Iroquois S.); Eight Rings (Empire Maker) (GI American Pharoah S.); Enforceable (Tapit) (GIII Lecomte S.); Gold Street (Street Boss) (Sugar Bowl and Smarty Jones S.); Green Light Go (Hard Spun) (GII Saratoga Special S.); High Velocity (Quality Road) (GIII Bob Hope S.); Independence Hall (Constitution) (GIII Nashua S. and Jerome); Liam's Lucky Charm (Liam's Map) (Pasco S.); Max Player (Honor Code) (GIII Withers S.); Maxfield (Street Sense) (GI Breeders' Futurity); Mischevious Alex (Into Mischief) (GIII Swale S.); Shoplifted (Into Mischief) (Springboard Mile); Shotski (Blame) (GII Remsen S.); Silver Prospector (Declaration of War) (GII Kentucky Jockey Club); Structor (Palace Malice) (GIII Pilgrim S. and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf); Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) (GII Los Alamitos Futurity and GIII Robert B. Lewis S.); and Tiz the Law (Constitution) (GI Champagne and GIII Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull S.).
Five-time Classic winner Todd Pletcher led all trainers with 26 nominations. Hall of Fame conditioners Steve Asmussen, who has won three Triple Crown races, and Bob Baffert, a winner of a record 15 classics–were next with 21 and 19 nominees, respectively. Brad Kelley's Calumet Farm led all owners with 13 nominations. Godolphin was the leading breeder with nine nominees.
Representing the equine division, first-crop sire and 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh led all sires with 15 nominees. Uncle Mo followed with 13, ahead of Into Mischief (12), Constitution (10), Liam's Map (10), Curlin (9) and Tapit (9).
Seven fillies were nominated, including three-time stakes winner Finite (Munnings) and undefeated Taraz (Into Mischief).
Internationally, 35 horses were nominated, including 20 from Japan–up from four last year–led by Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun winner Vacation (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}) and Cattleya Sho winner Dieu du Vin (Jpn) (Declaration of War). Additionally, 11 horses were nominated from Ireland, including six conditioned by Aidan O'Brien, led by G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge hero Royal Dornoch (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}).
Horses not nominated to the Triple Crown during the early phase can be made eligible at www.thetriplecrown.com for $6,000 during the late nomination period which continues through Mar. 30.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
