Nine late Triple Crown nominees announced

Edited Press Release

The roster of three-year-olds eligible to compete for the honor of succeeding American Pharoah as the 12th horse to sweep the American Triple Crown has climbed to 377 after nine horses were made eligible for the coveted three-race series during its late nomination phase that closed just before midnight (EDT) on March 21.

The owners of eight colts and one gelding paid a fee of $6,000 during the late nomination phase to make their horses eligible to run in the 2016 renewals of the May 7 Kentucky Derby (G1), May 21 Preakness (G1) and June 11 Belmont S. (G1). 

The list of late nominees to this year's Triple Crown:

Abiding Star, a Florida-bred son of Uncle Mo and winner of the Private Terms at Laurel for trainer Edward Allard

American Pioneer, a Kentucky-bred son of Awesome Again that was a four-length winner of a March 19 maiden race at Oaklawn Park for trainer Wayne Catalano;

Cards of Stone, a New York-bred gelding by Bustin Stones that won a restricted allowance race by 13 lengths for trainer Todd Pletcher

Governor Malibu, a New York-bred son of Malibu Moon and winner of the Gander at Aqueduct for trainer Christophe Clement

Isofass, a Florida-bred son of Rodman with one win in four races for trainer Francis "Trey" Abbott III

Lookin for a Kiss, a Kentucky-bred son of Lookin at Lucky with one win in two races and a recent transfer to trainer Mike Tomlinson

My Man Sam, a Kentucky-bred son of Trappe Shot with one win in three races at Aqueduct for trainer Chad Brown

Surgical Strike, a Kentucky-bred son of Red Giant who won Turfway Park's John Battaglia Memorial for trainer Ben Colebrook

Zapperini, a homebred Ghostzapper colt with one win and a fifth in the Risen Star (G2) in three career races for trainer Greg Foley.

Last year's Triple Crown attracted 438 nominations, which included 429 early nominees and nine made eligible during the late nomination phase.

The late nomination of Cards of Stone lifted the 2016 Triple Crown nomination total for seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher to 29, which remains below his 2015 total of 34. Pletcher has three wins in Triple Crown races on his résumé. With his nomination of My Man Sam, trainer Chad Brown's nominee total rose to 13, which ranks second among trainers.

Three-year-olds not nominated to the Triple Crown during either the early or late nomination phases have a final opportunity to become eligible for the three-race series by payment of supplemental nomination fees. Due at the time of entry for either the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness or the Belmont S., the supplemental fee process makes a horse eligible for the remainder of the Triple Crown series. A supplemental nomination at the time of entry to the Kentucky Derby requires payment of $200,000. The fee is $150,000 if paid prior to the Preakness or $75,000 at time of entry to the Belmont.