2013 Triple Crown Nominations

Today the list of 369 three-year-olds nominated by the early deadline for the 2013 Triple Crown was released. This is a decrease of 7.3% over last year when 398 were nominated. The 369 nominees include 325 colts, 28 geldings, 9 ridglings, and 7 fillies. Nominations during the early period, which closed on January 26, cost $600 each and make the horses eligible for all three Triple Crown races.

The most nominated by an owner is 7 by both Bluegrass Hall and Gary and Mary West, followed by 6 nominations by Darley Stable. Trainer Todd Pletcher nominated the most with 29, followed by Bob Baffert with 23 nominees. 352 of the horses were bred in the U.S. and 263 of those were born in Kentucky. 17 nominees were bred outside of USA, with Canada accounting for 11 of those.

The Triple Crown kicks off with the $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 4, over a distance of 1 1/4 miles. The series continues two weeks later at Pimlico in Baltimore for the $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at 1 3/16 miles on May 18, followed by the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at 1 1/2 miles on June 8 at Belmont Park in New York. The three-race parlay is considered one of the most difficult feats in sports, having only been attained 11 times, the last being Affirmed in 1978.

Horses can still be nominated by March 23 during the late nomination period, but the fee is raised from $600 to $6000. After March 23 horses would have to be supplemented when entries are taken at a cost of $200,000 for the Kentucky Derby, which would also include the Preakness and Belmont, or $100,000 for the Preakness and Belmont, or $100,000 for the Belmont only. All horses nominated by March 23 get priority over supplemental entries if a race is oversubscribed.

Below are all the horses sorted by name with their breeding and trainer. You can view free past performances from BRIS for the Triple Crown nominees as of 02/01/12 here.