With the Kentucky Derby less than two weeks away, the list of contenders is starting to settle down now that all the graded prep are finished, other than the Derby Trial and Withers which are only one week before the Derby. Since the Derby field is limited to 20 entrants, graded stakes earnings are used to determine who will get in the field when entries are taken. Only the top 20 entrants based on graded stakes earnings can draw into the race, and there is no also eligible list for the Derby. Just remember, it will take at least $100,000 or more in graded earnings to make the field, and some may still drop out before the entries are taken due to injury or illness. For historical comparisons, you can view past year's final earnings lists and the lowest earnings to get in the race here: 2008 ($165,000), 2007 ($104,000), 2006 ($109,000)
Below is a list of Triple Crown nominees in order of their graded stakes earnings through April 20, 2009. You can see free past performances for all the nominees here. This should be the final totals for 2009. Horses who are definitely out have been removed now. Quality Road is out as of 4/27 due to foot problems, so has been removed. Square Eddie is out as of 4/28 due to a recurring shin injury. Win Willy dropped out on 4/29 due to an ankle problem.
Manhattan Handicap (G1) and Just a Game Stakes (G1) Results - On the Belmont undercard, Gio Ponti won over Marsh Side and Better Talk Now in the Manhattan Handicap, while Diamondrella beat favorite Forever Together in the Just a Game Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Acorn Stakes (G1), True North Handicap (G2), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) Results - Also on the Belmont undercard, Gabby's Golden Gal upset favorite Justwhistledixie in the Acorn, top choice Fabulous Strike beat defending champ Benny the Bull in the True North Handicap, and Munnings won by 5 1/4 lengths in the Woody Stephens Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Brooklyn Handicap (G2) and Hill Prince Stakes - Eldaafer got up by a nose to win the Brooklyn Handicap over pacesetter Nite Light in the slop, with favorite Rising Moon third. In the Hill Prince Stakes, which was taken off the turf, Despite the Odds drew away to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2009 Belmont Stakes Entries - A field of 10 was entered with Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird the 2-1 morning line favorite from post 7. Get the entries, post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Belmont Stakes Friday Workouts - Photos of 5 of the Belmont Stakes horses on the sloppy track in the rain Friday morning, including Mine That Bird. Get the details and photos here.
Belmont Contenders Weekend Workouts - Five of the likely entrants for next weekend's Belmont Stakes had timed works at Belmont Park on May 30-31, including Charitable Man and Dunkirk. Get the details and photos here.
Rachel Alexandra wins the Preakness - She led most of the way and was ahead by 4 at the top of the stretch, then held off Mine That Bird by a length. Musket Man was another 1/2 length back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, most of them grade 2 or 3, including the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Parading.
With the Kentucky Derby less than two weeks away, the list of contenders is starting to settle down now that all the graded prep are finished, other than the Derby Trial and Withers which are only one week before the Derby. Since the Derby field is limited to 20 entrants, graded stakes earnings are used to determine who will get in the field when entries are taken. Only the top 20 entrants based on graded stakes earnings can draw into the race, and there is no also eligible list for the Derby. Just remember, it will take at least $100,000 or more in graded earnings to make the field, and some may still drop out before the entries are taken due to injury or illness. For historical comparisons, you can view past year's final earnings lists and the lowest earnings to get in the race here: 2008 ($165,000), 2007 ($104,000), 2006 ($109,000)
