Apr 27 2004
With the Kentucky Derby only three weeks away and all the graded preps over, the list of possible entrants should start to take shape. Since the Derby field is limited to 20 entrants, some of these contenders are not going to get in the race. Only the top 20 entrants based on graded stakes earnings are going to get in, and there is no also eligible list for the Derby. Only one more graded prep remains, the Derby Trial at Churchill Downs which isn't really used as a Derby prep anymore, so anyone low on the list is likely out unless someone above drops out.
Below is a list of Triple Crown nominees in order of their graded stakes earnings through April 18th. Three of the top 10 are fillies but only Madcap Escapade, who was a late nominee on March 27, is a remote possibility to enter. Thus, any contender lower than the 23rd spot is on the bubble and needs some horses to drop out to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Fillies are noted with (f).
Triple Crown quick links:
- Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - lots of info for each
- Analyzing the top Derby Contenders - trying to pick a winner
- Latest NTRA 3-year-old Poll
- Free Past Performances - from DRF
- Derby Weather - several forecasts for Louisville. Currently rain is expected.
| Rank | Horse | Graded Earnings |
| 1 | Halfbridled | $920,000 |
| 2 | Ashado | $865,000 |
| 3 | The Cliff's Edge | $793,258 |
| 4 | Action This Day | $780,000 |
| 5 | Friends Lake | $611,000 |
| 6 | Smarty Jones | $600,000 |
| 7 | Tapit | $530,000 |
| 8 | Castledale (Ire) | $510,000 |
| 9 | Limehouse | $478,405 |
| 10 | Lion Heart | $475,600 |
| 11 | Madcap Escapade | $400,000 |
| 12 | Read The Footnotes | $397,860 |
| 13 | Wimbledon | $375,000 |
| 14 | Pollard's Vision | $366,000 |
| 15 | Imperialism | $363,000 |
| 16 | Minister Eric | $350,000 |
| 17 | Birdstone | $327,000 |
| 18 | Borrego | $320,000 |
| 19 | Sinister G | $302,500 |
| 20 | Quintons Gold Rush | $258,500 |
| 21 | Value Plus | $252,500 |
| 22 | St Averil | $215,200 |
| 23 | Master David | $208,000 |
| 24 | Tiger Hunt | $165,500 |
| 25 | Preachinatthebar | $159,000 |
| 26 | Saratoga County | $156,500 |
| 27 | Fire Slam | $143,000 |
| 28 | Song of the Sword | $132,500 |
| 29 | Kitten's Joy | $120,000 |
| 30 | Capitano | $115,000 |
| 31 | Kilgowan | $110,000 |
| 32 | Pro Prado | $105,685 |
| 33 | Consecrate | $100,500 |
| 34 | Tricky Taboo | $100,000 |
| 35 | Hosco | $98,860 |
| 36 | Pomeroy | $96,250 |
| 37 | Eddington | $95,000 |
| 38 | Mr. Jester | $92,000 |
| 39 | Rock Hard Ten | $90,000 |
| 40 | Skipaslew | $70,000 |
