Triple Crown late nomination deadline extended; new closing TBD

Churchill Downs press release

LOUISVILLE, KY. (Sunday, March 29, 2020) – The late Triple Crown nomination deadline, which was scheduled for Monday, March 30, will be extended to a yet-to-be-determined date later this year. The extension was agreed upon by racing officials at Churchill Downs Racetrack, the Maryland Jockey Club and New York Racing Association.

On March 17, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) was rescheduled from May 2 to Sept. 5 following public health concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials with the Maryland Jockey Club and New York Racing Association are continuing discussions with state and local governments and all appropriate parties to determine the most suitable time to conduct the Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico Race Course, scheduled for May 16, and Belmont Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park, scheduled for June 6.

When all three Triple Crown dates appear to be firm, a late Triple Crown nomination closing date will be announced.

Three-year-old Thoroughbreds from the 2017 foal crop that were not made eligible for $600 during the early nomination phase will be able to be nominated for $6,000 via a payment on www.thetriplecrown.com  or by calling the Churchill Downs Racing Office at (502) 638-3825.

A total of 347 horses were nominated to this year’s Triple Crown during the early phase, which closed Jan. 25.

Jennie Rees is a communications and advocacy specialist in the horse industry who spent 32 years covering horse racing for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal before taking a corporate buyout. In addition to handling communications for the Kentucky HBPA, Rees is Kentucky Downs’ publicity director, manages in-season racing publicity for Ellis Park and serves as a consultant to the National HBPA. Other projects include the Preakness Stakes, Indiana Grand’s Indiana Derby Week and work for various HBPA affiliates and horsemen’s associations.