The early nomination deadline for the 2010 Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and the Belmont Stakes (gr. I)—has been set for Jan. 16.
Several representatives of the Triple Crown racetracks will be at a number of racing venues across the country signing up potential runners for the classics prior to the closing of the early nomination deadline.
Covering prospective nominees in South Florida will be Don Richardson, Churchill Downs Inc. senior vice president; Ben Huffman, director of racing, racing secretary at Churchill Downs; Coley Blind, Pimlico stakes coordinator; P.J. Campo, vice president, director of racing and racing secretary for New York Racing Association. Gene Williams, representing Churchill Downs, will accept nominations in Southern California, while Jason Boulet, director of racing, racing secretary at Fair Grounds, will take nominations at his home track. Sandy Montgomery of Churchill Downs will sign up horses at Oaklawn Park, and Allison DeLuca, director of racing at Tampa Bay Downs, will handle nominations at that Florida track.
In addition, NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes will take nominations in New York; Georganne Hale, Pimlico racing secretary, will handle Maryland-area nominations, and horsemen can nominate on Triple Crown’s new website www.thetriplecrown.com, by calling Kelly Danner at (502) 638-3825, or by fax at (502) 638-3915.
Payment of 2010 Triple Crown nomination fees can be made by check or credit card. A late-nomination period, with a fee $6,000 per horse, closes March 27.
The Triple Crown, which hasn’t been claimed since Affirmed’s sweep of the three races in 1978, begins May 1 with the Kentucky Derby 136 at Churchill Downs, moves on to Pimlico on May 15 for the 135th Preakness, and closes with the 142nd Belmont Stakes June 5 at Belmont Park.