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.

What You Need To Know

  • 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

  • He is trained by John Sadler

  • Tapalo was runner-up to Endlessly in the El Camino Real Derby in February

  • There are now more than 350 eligible 3-year-olds to compete in the Kentucky Derby (May 4), Preakness (May 18) and Belmont (June 8)

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 (May 4), Preakness (May 18) and Belmont (June 8). 

The late payments were due Monday and were announced 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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