Updated April 02, 2004
It is only a month before the Kentucky Derby and still the contender picture remains unclear due to all the upsets in major prep races. The final nomination period closed with 14 addtional nominees at a cost of $6000 each, bringing the total number of nominations up to 444. Trainer Niall O'Callaghan nominated three while Frank Brothers nominated two, including the still undefeated filly Madcap Escapade. Other notable late nominations are Sinister G., winner of the Lane's End Stakes at Turfway, and Little Matth Man, winner of the Whirlaway at Aqueduct and third in the Lane's End.
The late nomination period is the last chance to get your horse eligible to enter the Kentucky Derby for a reasonable cost. The early nominations, which closed on January 17, cost $600 and the late nominations, which closed on March 27, cost $6000. At this point, horses can still be supplemented to the Kentucky Derby for a $150,000 fee, or for the Preakness and/or Belmont for "only" $100,000. Entries to the Kentucky Derby are capped at 20 horses and if more than 20 enter, preference is given in order of their amount of graded stakes earnings. Additional fees are $15,000 to enter and $15,000 to start are due if you actually get in. There are no also eligibles taken for the Triple Crown races.
Triple Crown quick links:
- Kentucky Derby Contenders - with full info for each
- Graded Stakes earnings for the top contenders
- 2004 Triple Crown Early Nominations - 434 horses were nominated in the early period which closed January 17.
- Experimental Free Handicap - ranks the top 2-year-olds of 2003 and determines who can be a dual qualifier
- Triple Crown Trail prep race schedule with results updated weekly
- Injury Report - A list of who is off the trail due to injury from the Churchill Downs fantasy contest.
- Triple Crown Index - the master list with even more info
| Horse | Breeding | Trainer |
| Ascertain (IRE) | Intkhab - Self Assured | Niall M. O'Callaghan |
| Call Me Shane | Tale of the Cat - Maeslady | Niall M. O'Callaghan |
| Gamblin | Family Calling - Yuki | Niall M. O'Callaghan |
| Humorously | Distorted Humor - Taliesin | William P. White |
| Kilgowan | Smoke Glacken - Port Roberto | Lonnie Arterburn |
| Little Matth Man | Matty G - Lady's Legacy | Martin E. Ciresa |
| Madcap Escapade (f) | Hennessy - Sassy Pants | Frank L. Brothers |
| Monocular | Distant View - Alto Jane | Richard E. Dutrow |
| Mustanfar | Unbridled - Manwah | Kiaran P. McLaughlin |
| Pure American | Quiet American - Pure Wool | Grant T. Forster |
| Quiet Hero | Quiet American - My Prayer | Frank L. Brothers |
| Sinister G. | Matty G - Sinister Punch | John T. Toscano, Jr. |
| Song of the Sword | Unbridled's Song - Appealing Ms Sword | Jennifer Pedersen |
| Trieste's Honor | Old Trieste - Jolie Bois | Mike Puype |
