LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A total of 373 three-year-old thoroughbreds were made eligible to this year’s Triple Crown series, Churchill Downs said in a release. 

This represents a nearly 8% increase from last year’s 346 early nominations. Early nomination payments of $600 were due Jan. 27. 

Sixty nominees have already won stakes races, including the top 10 point leaders on the Road to the Kentucky Derby: Citizen Bull, Speed King, Cole Battle, Burnham Square, Disco Time, Captain Cook, Built, Gaming, Getaway Car and Jonathan’s Way.

The nominations also feature some of horse racing’s top conditioners, led by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who has 32 horses nominated. Other leading trainers are Bob Baffert (21), Brad Cox (14), Chad Brown (13) and Kenny McPeek (12).

A record 69 Japan-based horses were nominated, shattering last year’s record of 47. There are 268 Kentucky-bred nominees, the most of any state or country, followed by Japan (54), Florida (14) and New York (11). 

Three-year-olds not nominated during the early phase can still join the trail by making a late payment of $6,000 by Monday, April 7, at www.triplecrown.com, Churchill Downs said. 

The Triple Crown begins Saturday, May 3 with the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, followed by the May 17 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course and the June 7 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Thirteen horses have swept the Triple Crown; Justify was the most recent to do so in 2018. 

The Kentucky Derby is the longest continually held sporting event in the U.S., since 1875. To stay up-to-date with everything related to the Oaks and Derby, you can visit Spectrum News 1’s special racing section.