Led by 2-year-old champion and upset Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court, a total of 347 3-year-old Thoroughbreds were made eligible to compete in this year’s Triple Crown during the early nomination phase, which closed Jan. 25.
Each of the 347 horses from the 2017 foal crop was made eligible through a $600 payment to compete in any of the Triple Crown contests: the 146th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) on May 2 at Churchill Downs (1 ¼ miles); the 145th running of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (GI) on May 16 at Pimlico Race Course (1 3/16 miles); and the 152nd running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (GI) on June 6 at Belmont Park (1 ½ miles).
The total slipped 4.1%, or 15 horses, from last year’s 362 that were nominated at the early stage.
Storm the Court, owned by Exline-Border Racing LLC, David A. Bernsen, Susanna Wilson and Dan Hudock, could make his 3-year-old debut in Sunday’s $200,000 San Vicente (GII) over seven furlongs at Santa Anita. Trained by Peter Eurton, the Kentucky-bred son of Court Vision improved his record to 4-2-0-1—$1,172,951 when he scored a head victory over fellow Triple Crown nominee Anneau d’Or at odds of 45-1 in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Santa Anita.
There are 5 Canadian-bred nominees at the first stage including Coronation Futurity winner HALO AGAIN, recently eighth in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds, turf stakes winner DEVIANT and this year’s maiden winner SYCAMORE RUN. Woodbine winner PERFECT REVENGE and unraced COOL DEVIL complete the set of 5 nominees.
CHARLES FIPKE, who will receive the E.P. TAYLOR AWARD OF MERIT at the April 16 Sovereign Awards, is one of the leaders with 9 horses nominated to the Triple Crown series. Cool Devil is the lone Canadian-bred. Roger Attfield and Josie Carroll train a few of these Fipke nominees.
Toronto’s JOHN FIELDING is a partner in 5 Triple Crown nominees including graded stakes winner EIGHT RINGS, trained by Bob Baffert.
Peter Redekop of Vancouver, owns ANNEAU D’OR, a top 3-year-old prospect who is headed to the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Complete list of Triple Crown nominees here.
Canadian-breds nominated to 2020 Triple Crown (5)
Cool Devil – Todd Pletcher – DK B/ C Daredevil – Cool Storm – Breeder: Charles E. Fipke – Charles E. Fipke
Deviant – Danny Pish – CH C Daredevil -Alkmaar Breeder: Robert Harvey Ontario CAN Owners: Red Lane Thoroughbreds
Halo Again – Steven Asmussen B C Speightstown – Halo’s Verse Ontario CAN Breeder: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. Owners: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC – and Willis Horton Racing LLC $139,725
Perfect Revenge Saffie Joseph, Jr. B C I Want Revenge – Ourperfectpastor Breeder: David Lanzman Racing -Ontario
Sycamore Run Joe Sharp B C Street Sense – Dattt Echo Breeder: Anderson Farms On, Inc. Ontario CAN Owners: Scott and Evan Dilworth
Canadian-owned or Trained but not Bred nominated to 2020 Triple Crown (16)
Anneau d’Or – C B Medaglia d’Oro Walk Close -Highland Yard LLC -Blaine Wright- Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd.
Authentic -C B Into Mischief Flawless- Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC Bob Baffert -SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Hertrich, III, Frederick, Fielding, John D. and Golconda Stable
Charlatan C CH Speightstown Authenticity- Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC Bob Baffert SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Hertrich, III, Frederick, Fielding, John D. and Golconda Stables
Choice of Mine (AUS) C B Redoute’s Choice (AUS) Thislilsoulofmine Mr. C Fipke Joseph O’Brien Charles E. Fipke
Dances With Stars (IRE) C B Sea The Stars (IRE) Dance Secretary (IRE) C. Fipke Joseph O’Brien Charles E. Fipke
Eight Rings C DK B/ Empire Maker Purely Hot WinStar Farm, LLC Bob Baffert SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Hertrich, III, Fred , –Fielding, John D., Golconda Stables, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick
Fore Left- C B Twirling Candy Simply Sunny Machmer Hall Doug O’Neill Reddam Racing LLC
Green Light Go – C B Hard Spun Light Green Adena Springs James Jerkens – Stronach Stables
Ima Pharoah C DK B/ American Pharoah Im a Dixie Girl Charles E. Fipke Todd Pletcher Charles E. Fipke
Karakontieparadise F DK B/ Karakontie (JPN) Inventing Paradise Charles Fipke Josie Carroll Charles E. Fipke
King Ashoka C DK B/ Uncle Mo Brilliant Jewel W. S. Farish & Flag Lake II Bob Baffert SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Hertrich, III, Frederick, Fielding, John D. and Golconda Stables
Mr. Hustle G DK B/ Declaration of War Ready Ready Ready V. Gail Ray Roger Attfield William K. Werner
Pleasant Orb F DK B/ Orb Pleasant Home Charles E. Fipke Barclay Tagg Fipke
Ready Soul C B More Than Ready Secretariat’s Soul (IRE) Charles Fipke Roger Attfield Fipke
Saratogian C B Empire Maker Saltendipity Don Alberto Corporation Rodolphe Brisset SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Hertrich, III, Frederick, Fielding, John D. and Golconda Stables
Shirl’s Speight C B Speightstown Perfect Shirl Charles Fipke Roger Attfield Fipke
Weekend in Court C DK B/ Court Vision Weekend in London Charles Fipke Linda Rice Fipke
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