Eleven Late Triple Crown nominations added

Florida Derby (G1) winner QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) headlines a list of

11 late nominees to Thoroughbred racing's 2009 Triple Crown. The deadline for

late nominees, at a fee of $6,000, passed Saturday at midnight.

Four hundred one prospects were nominated during the early sign-up period

that closed January 24. The fee then was $600 per nominee.

Those joining Quality Road, who preceded his Florida Derby victory by winning

the Fountain of Youth (G2), include the following graded winners: Rebel S. (G2)

victor WIN WILLY (Monarchos), Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner MUSKET MAN

(Yonaguska), Swale S. (G2) hero THIS ONES FOR PHIL (Untuttable) and the multiple

Grade 2-winning filly JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE (Dixie Union), who is on a five-race win

streak.

Also added to the field are Santa Anita Derby (G1) hopefuls FEISTY SUANCES (Suances

[GB]) and MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow), as well as BET ON VICTOR (Yankee Victor), HULL

(Holy Bull), HAMAZING DESTINY (Salt Lake) and SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone).

"We are overjoyed to add 11 more hopeful Thoroughbreds to our already highly

list of prospects," said Edward P. Seigenfeld, executive vice president of

Triple Crown Productions, headquartered at Churchill Downs. "The additions of

the latest graded stakes winners only enhances the roster of top-flight horses

already nominated to America's three classics."

The first jewel of the Triple Crown -- the 135th Kentucky Derby (G1) will be

run May 2, followed by the 134th Preakness S. (G1) at Baltimore's Pimlico Race

Course on May 16 and the 141st Belmont S. (G1) on June 6 at New York's Belmont

Park.