Baffert Nominates 20 to Triple Crown

Eclipse Award-winning trainer Bob Baffert, who has tightened the girth on four winners of the classics since his first starter in 1996, has nominated 20 sophomores for this year's renewal of the Triple Crown.

The deadline for the $600 early-bird nomination is today at midnight. Horses can still be nominated for a $6,000 fee through March 27.

"If you nominate 20 good horses there's a good chance for maybe three making it (to the Derby)," Baffert said. "It's also a good thing for when horses are bought and sold. It's a big thing if you sell a good horse who's Triple Crown eligible."

Among the names Baffert made eligible are recent starter allowance winner Bornwithit, as well as impressive maiden winner Teton Forest, Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. III) contender Preachinatthebar, highly regarded maiden Wimbledon and the stakes-winning filly Class Above.