Early Triple Crown nominations total 401

A total of

401

three-year-olds have been nominated during the early nomination period for

the 2009 edition of the Triple Crown.

The figures are down from the 2008 near-record figure of 449 early

nominations, but the quality remains at the crème de la crème level with

champion two-year-olds -- MIDSHIPMAN (Unbridled's Song) and STARDOM BOUND

(Tapit) -- leading the way.

"Though the numbers are down from previous record-setting years in the early

nominating period, we are thrilled to see that the elite of this three-year-old

crop is represented among the nominations," said Edward P. Seigenfeld, executive

vice president of Triple Crown Productions, which is based in Louisville,

Kentucky. "The presence of the eight top-weighted colts still in training from

the 2008 Experimental Handicap of two-year-olds, including Breeders' Cup

Juvenile (G1) and two-year-old Eclipse Award winner Midshipman, shows once again

that interest in Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown continues to be high. Add to

that the nomination of the reigning two-year-old filly champion, Stardom Bound,

and the Triple Crown starts out with an extremely competitive group."

Midshipman was awarded the Eclipse as champion two-year-old following

victories in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile as well as a

runner-up finish in the Norfolk S. (G1). He and fellow Triple Crown nominee

VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]), who captured the Hopeful S. (G1) and

Champagne S. (G1) last season, may provide the best opportunity for Sheikh

Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin Racing to reach the long-held goal of

winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a horse trained in Dubai.

Both horses are currently residing in Dubai in advance of their sophomore

bows. Vineyard Haven was bought from owner-trainer Bobby Frankel following the

two Grade 1 victories, while Midshipman came to Godolphin through Sheikh

Mohammed's purchase of Stonerside Farm and nearly all of its racing and breeding

stock. The two colts head a seven-horse contingent from Godolphin. The Godolphin

nominees, an increase from three in 2008, are part of a highly respected

27-horse international caravan.

The Godolphin entries and the five nominees from Sheikh Mohammed's Darley

Stable give the Dubai-based sheikh 12 possible runners in the Triple Crown.

Stardom Bound will attempt to give owners IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. a

second straight Derby victory after they scored in 2008 with Big Brown. The gray

lass, one of four fillies nominated to the Triple Crown, broke her maiden in the

Del Mar Debutante (G1) and followed that up with a win in the Oak Leaf S. (G1).

Like Midshipman, she wrapped up her juvenile campaign, and Eclipse Award honors,

with a victory in the Breeders' Cup, posting a 1 1/2-length score in the

Juvenile Fillies (G1). Purchased by her current owners just nine days following

that race, Stardom Bound made her three-year-old bow a winning one on Saturday

when taking the Las Virgenes S. (G1).

For the first time in six years, multiple Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher

does not head the list of top nominator among trainers. That honor goes to

2008 Eclipse trainer Steven Asmussen, who finished last year with a record 622

victories and conditioned Curlin to a second straight Horse of the Year title. His 25

nominees top the list. Pletcher nominated 20, with perennial top trainers Nick

Zito and Bob Baffert following with 19 and 12 nominations, respectively. Filling

out the top five is Richard Violette Jr. with 11.

In the owner category, Zayat Stables far outranked the rest with 22

nominations. Next is Oxbow Racing with 10 nominations, followed by Earle I. Mack

and the partnerships tandem of Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor at nine each.

Headlining the sire list is 1992 Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, who is tied

with Unbridled's Song for the top spot with 14 progeny. Notable, also, is the

strong appearance made by young sire Medaglia d'Oro, second on the list with 13

nominees, followed by Grand Slam with nine and Lion Heart, Seeking the Gold and

Distorted Humor, last year's leader, tied with eight apiece.

The run to racing's Triple Crown begins with the 135th edition of the $2

million Kentucky Derby on May 2 at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville,

Kentucky. The second leg is set for May 16 and the 134th running of the $1

million Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The

wrap-up comes in the 141st edition of the $1 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 6

at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.