The closing for early bird nominations for the entire series is April 22 for just $100.
Calder Race Course will introduce three races this year that will mirror each race of the Visa Triple Crown in date and distance, giving runners age three and up a chance to participate in a unique series. The Senior Triple will offer a $50,000-guaranteed race at Calder on the same days as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, all grade I.The "Old Kentucky Home" will be run May 7; the "Maryland My Maryland" will be contested two weeks later, May 21; and the "New York, New York" will be run three weeks later, June 11. While the Triple Crown races are strictly for 3-year-olds, each race of the Senior Triple is for Thoroughbreds age three and older (weight for age: 3-year-olds, 113. lbs., older 123 lbs.). The Old Kentucky Home is a 1 1/4-miles; the Maryland My Maryland is a 1 3/16-miles; and the New York, New York completes the series at 1 1/2-miles."The Senior Triple is a fun opportunity to reward stayers, the long distance runners," said Calder Racing Secretary Bobby Umphrey. "It's a concept that the horsemen will surely enjoy and one that fans, including the more casual ones, can really relate to. Everyone knows about the Triple Crown and that it starts with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May." Calder will also offer simulcast wagering on the Triple Crown races. The purse of each Senior Triple race will be $50,000-guaranteed. In addition, a $5,000 trainer bonus has been implemented to reward the trainer who amasses the most points in the series. To be eligible for the bonus, a trainer must be represented by a starter in each leg of the Senior Triple series. Points are earned by the number of horses that a trainer's best finishing entrant defeats in each race.