LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tapalo, a contender in Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby, is among nine 3-year-olds that were made eligible to compete in the Triple Crown series with a late $6,000 payment.
Trainer by John Sadler, Tapalo was runner-up to Endlessly in the El Camino Real Derby in February.
Other late nominees are: Awesome Ruta, Celtic Contender, D Day Sky, Evening News, Le Dom Bro, Lonesome Boy, Mugatu and Secret Chat.
There are now 354 eligible 3-year-olds to compete in the Kentucky Derby on May 4, Preakness on May 18 and Belmont on June 8.
The late payments were due Monday and were announced on Tuesday.
Any horse not nominated during the early or late phases can become Triple Crown-eligible through a supplemental nomination payment due at the time of entry for each race.
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