As usual, Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with 31 nominees eligible to compete in the Triple Crown series, the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), and Belmont Stakes (G1).
A total of 367 3-year-old thoroughbreds became eligible during the early nomination phase, which closed on Jan. 26. The list was released Tuesday (Feb. 3) by Churchill Downs, home of the Derby.
Kentucky Derby contenders galore are on the list, including Further Ado, Golden Tempo, Intrepido, Litmus Test, Napoleon Solo, Nearly, and Paladin.
Among the Pletcher nominees are Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Nearly, Class President, Courting, Epic Desire, Grittiness and Renegade.
Six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert is second among trainers with 23 nominees, followed by Chad Brown (22), Brad Cox (21), and Daisuke Takayanagi (14).
International representation includes 37 horses from Japan, led by Godolphin’s Pyromancer, winner of the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun.
Last year, there were 373 early nominees and another five late nominations.
• 281 – Kentucky-bred nominees, most of any state. Others: Japan (37), New York (11), Florida (10), California (7), Pennsylvania (5), Ireland (3), Maryland (3), Virginia (3), Indiana (2), Ontario (2), Great Britain (1), Louisiana (1), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1).
• 171 bay-colored horses. Other colors: dark bay/brown (84), chestnut (68), gray/roan (42) and gray (3)
• 127 – Trainers with horses nominated to the Triple Crown
• 55 – Stakes winners nominated. 19 graded stakes winners
• 16 – Horses sired by Not This Time, the most of any stallion. Others: Gun Runner (15), Into Mischief (14), Nyquist (14), Constitution (13), Maxfield (12)
• 11 – Fillies Nominated: Bella Ballerina (trainer Brendan Walsh), Belle of the Barn (Caio Caramori), Counting Stars (Mark Casse), Dancin in Old Town (Keith Desormeaux), Energy Issei (JPN) (Daisuke Takayanagi), Goldmunze (JPN) (Daisuke Takayanagi), Perfect Town (Steve Asmussen), Ten Time Top (JPN) (Daisuke Takayanagi), Tokai Ma Cherie (JPN) (Daisuke Takayanagi), Unnatamsa (JPN) (Daisuke Takayanagi), and Zany (Todd Pletcher)
• Jan. 1, 2023 – Earliest foal among nominees: Star Ship (JPN)
• May 24, 2023 – Latest foals among nominees: Silver Prince
Three-year-olds not nominated during the early phase can still join the Triple Crown trail by making a late payment of $6,000 by April 6.
Thirteen horses have swept the Triple Crown: Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharoah (2015), Justify (2018).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
