What does it mean when a horse is supplemented to the Triple Crown races?

[keithw84]

Does it mean they didn't have enough graded earnings? Or were they just not nominated before?

[johnhannibalsmith]

Here's a better explanation than any I could take the time offer as clearly:

http://www.horse-races.net/library/derby-entry.htm

First off, you have three different times you can nominate and, of course, the earlier you do it the cheaper it is. For 2009, if you nominated by January 24th it was only $600 to nominate a horse and make him/her eligible for all three Triple Crown races. That is why you see big name trainers with several nominees, to people at that level of the game $600 is pocket change.

From January 25th to March 28th, it is $6000 to nominate and be eligible for all three races, still not too expensive if you have a talented late bloomer in your barn. After March 28th the nominations are closed and in the past that meant you couldn't get in the races no matter what. A few years ago they changed that to allow for supplementary nominations but the price is a hefty one. Until the Kentucky Derby it costs $200,000 to supplement and be eligible for all three races. If you wait until after the Derby, that goes down to $100,000 which will make you eligible for the Preakness and the Belmont or just the Belmont if you wait until after the Preakness has run. So there is no break in price if all you want is the Belmont, but at least the supplemental entry fees are added to the purse money.

These supplementary fees are non-refundable except in the case of the Derby where it will be refunded if the race is over subscribed (more than 20 entered) and your horse doesn't get in the race. All horses nominated before the March 28 deadline get preference over supplements, regardless of earnings, when the field for the Derby is selected.

[hazzardm]

Does it mean they didn't have enough graded earnings? Or were they just not nominated before?

It means the horse has developed much better than originally thought :D

[Greyfox]

If you are supplementing $ 200,000 to come in late, it means that you are taking odds of about 10-1 win odds that you'll get your money back in the Derby (or one of the three legs). Of course, if you do win and take the other two legs, it could be a fortune in the breeding shed.
It also means that you have deeper pockets of cash than me.;)