Triple Crown News Release: Early Nominations for 2026 Triple Crown Series Due Monday

Jan 21, 2026

Nominations are open for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible for the 2026 Triple Crown with an early $600 payment that is due Monday (Jan. 26) at www.thetriplecrown.com.

The 2026 Triple Crown series begins Saturday, May 2 with the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) at 1 ¼ miles at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The 151st running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes (GI), contested at 1 3/16 miles, will follow on Saturday, May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. The series concludes with the 158th running of the $2 million Belmont Stakes (GI) at 1 ¼ miles on Saturday, June 6 at Saratoga Racecourse in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The early nomination phase closes Monday, Jan. 26 at midnight (all times Eastern).

Horses can still be nominated during the late nomination phase with a $6,000 payment between Tuesday, Jan. 27 and Monday, April 6. The final opportunity for eligibility is through a supplemental nomination fee due at entry time for each Triple Crown race: Kentucky Derby ($200,000), Preakness ($150,000), and Belmont Stakes ($50,000).

In 2025, early Triple Crown nominations featured 373 horses with an additional five late nominees.

For more information, contact representatives at the Triple Crown host tracks:

Churchill Downs: Ben Huffman: 502-638-3820 | Ben.Huffman@KyDerby.com; Dan Bork: 502-638-3806 | Dan.Bork@KyDerby.com; Baley Hare: 502-638-3816 | Baley.Hare@ellisparkracing.com; Kelly Danner: 502-638-3825 | Kelly.Danner@KyDerby.com
Pimlico Race Course: Jillian Sofarelli: 800-638-1859 | Jtullock@marylandracing.com
Belmont Park: Harry Wright: 504-919-9901 | hwright@nyrainc.com
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