How do you qualify for the Preakness and Belmont?

[keithw84]

I know that the Kentucky Derby is simply the 20 horses with the highest earnings, but what are the qualifications to run in the other legs of the Triple Crown?

It seems like the Preakness and Belmont both have more runners that are less experienced, and (from listening to Durkin's call) the horse that came in 3rd in the 2005 Belmont was a maiden.

[MickJ26]

I know that the Kentucky Derby is simply the 20 horses with the highest earnings, but what are the qualifications to run in the other legs of the Triple Crown?

It seems like the Preakness and Belmont both have more runners that are less experienced, and (from listening to Durkin's call) the horse that came in 3rd in the 2005 Belmont was a maiden.


Very few horses run in all three triple crown races anymore, so I'd assume you'd have to just pass the entry box. If the race overfills, then I'd guess it would come down to earnings. That would be the assumption I'd make. NYRA's website would probably say for sure.

[OTM Al]

Condition books are always the place to look. Beyond having to be TC nominated....

The Belmont Stakes:
The Belmont field will be limited to sixteen (16) starters. In the event more than 16 entries pass through the entry box at the closing, the starters will be determined at the closing with the first eight (8) starters given preference by accumulating the highest earning in Graded Sweepstakes at a mile or over. For purposes of this preference, the graded status of each race shall be the Grade assigned by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee in Part 1 of The International Cataloguing Standards as published annually by The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. The next five (5) starters will be determined by accumulating the highest earnings (lifetime) in all non-restricted sweepstakes. Non-restricted Sweepstakes" shall mean those
sweepstakes whose conditions contain no restrictions other than age or sex. The remaining three (3) starters shall be determined by accumulating the highest earnings in all races. Should this preference produce any ties the additional starter(s) shall be determined by lot. If the rules described
result in the exclusion of any horse the $10,000 entry fee will be refunded to the owner of said horse. The above conditions notwithstanding any horse which earns purse money in either The Kentucky Derby or The Preakness Stakes shall be included in the initial eight (8) starters of The Belmont Stakes

The Preakness:
The Preakness field will be limited to fourteen (14) entries and shall be determined on the Wednesday immediately preceding the day of the race. In the event that more than fourteen (14) horses are properly nominated and pass through the entry box by the usual time of Closing, the starters will be determined at the Closing with the first (7) horses given preference by accumulating the highest earnings in Graded Stakes (lifetime), for purposes of this preference the graded status of each race shall be the graded status assigned to the race by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee in Part 1 of the International Cataloguing Standards as published by the Jockey Club Information Systems, Incorporated each year. The next four (4) starters will be determined by accumulating the highest earnings (lifetime) in all non-restricted stakes. "Non-restricted Sweepstakes" shall mean those sweepstakes whose conditions contain no restrictions other than that of age or sex. The remaining three (3) starters shall be determined by accumulating the highest earnings (lifetime) in all races. Should this preference produce any ties, the additional starter(s) shall be determined by lot. In application of the above described rule, each horse will be separately considered without regard to identity of its owner. If the rules described in this paragraph result in the exclusion of any horse, the $10,000 entry fee previously paid will be refunded to the owner of said horse. The above conditions notwithstanding , no horse which earns purse money in The Kentucky Derby shall be denied the opportunity to enter and start in The Preakness Stakes.

[Skanoochies]

Interesting, thanks for posting that OTM AL.

Any reason why the Belmont can`t accomodate 20 horses like the Derby? It seems like such a bigger track. Gate capacity? :confused: