Triple Crown attracts 14 late nominees

Blues and Royals may get his chance at Derby glory (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

BLUES AND ROYALS (Honour and Glory), a smashing 12-length winner of
Saturday’s U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), is among 14 late nominees to this year’s
Triple Crown. Connections had to pay $6,000 for any late nominations compared to
$600 during the early nomination period, which closed
January 22. In the early nomination period, 358 horses were made eligible for
the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness (G1) or Belmont S. (G1). A total of 372 are
now eligible for the $5 million Visa Triple Crown Challenge bonus offered to any
runner who sweeps all three events.

Blues and Royals is owned by Godolphin, who also submitted a late nomination
for U.A.E. Derby third-placer PAROLE BOARD (Dynaformer). Saturday’s races
also added CAT SHAKER (Catienus), who
captured the Rushaway at Turfway Park, and MALIBU MOONSHINE (Malibu Moon), hero
of Laurel Park’s Private Terms S.

The remaining late nominees are B. B. BEST (Yes It’s True), BRIDGE LOAN (Giant’s Causeway), EVIL MINISTER (Deputy Minister), GENERAL JOHN B (Sweetsouthernsaint),
HELLO JERRY (Malibu Moon), MIGHTY MECKE (Mecke), MR SWORD (Rizzi), RIKMAN (Storm
Creek), SORT IT OUT (Out of Place) and WATCHMON (Maria’s Mon).