Derby Eligibility Question

[kingfin66]

Can a horse that is NOT Triple Crown nominated be entered in the Derby? This question applies to both Hi Teck Man and Sinister G - horses that have won Derby preps, but are not Triple Crown nominated.

If they can still run, but have to meet other requirements ($$, etc), what are those requirements?

[witchdoctor]

The horses nominated are given preference over horses that are not nominated. If the derby does not have 20 nominated horses, then horses not nominated are eligible with preferences given according to money earned in graded stakes the past 2 years. If a non nominated horse gets in, the owners have to pay a substanitial supplemental fee.

[kingfin66]

That's exactly the type of informative answer I was looking for. Thanks Witchdoctor.

[PurplePower]

Originally posted by witchdoctor
The horses nominated are given preference over horses that are not nominated. If the derby does not have 20 nominated horses, then horses not nominated are eligible with preferences given according to money earned in graded stakes the past 2 years. If a non nominated horse gets in, the owners have to pay a substanitial supplemental fee. Horses that were not nominated by the late nomination deadline of March 17th ($6000 as compared to the $600 January 17th early nomination) must pay $150,000 supplemental fee on entry day if they wish to run. Sinister G was a late nominee so he is eligible. Hi Teck Man was not nominated so he would have to pony up half of what he won Sunday to go in the Derby. Cost for entering either the Preakness or Belmont for non-nominees is $100,000. That is in ADDITION to the regular $15,000 to enter AND $15,000 to start that all starters must pay.