Early nominations for 2021 Triple Crown series due Saturday

Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible to the 2021 Triple Crown series are due Saturday with a $600 payment.

The 2021 Triple Crown will begin with the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at 1 ¼ miles on Saturday, May 1 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The 146th running of the $1 million Preakness (G1), its 1 3/16-mile second jewel, is set for Saturday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. The 153rd running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1), the series’ 1 ½-mile final leg, is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Last year’s Triple Crown attracted 369 nominations, 347 horses during the early phase and 22 horses during the late nomination phase.

Horses not nominated during the early phase can be made eligible between Jan. 24-Mar. 29 with a $6,000 payment. Any horse not nominated during the early or late phases can become Triple Crown eligible through payment of a supplemental nomination fee due at the time of entry for each Triple Crown race: the Kentucky Derby ($200,000), Preakness ($100,000) and Belmont ($50,000).

For more information go to www.TheTripleCrown.com.