367 Horses Nominated for 2026 Triple Crown

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A total of 367 3-year-old horses have been nominated to compete in the 2026 Triple Crown series, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Veteran trainer Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with 31 nominations, followed by Bob Baffert, Chad Brown, Brad Cox, and Japan's Daisuke Takayanagi. The early nomination period closed on January 26, with horses that were not nominated able to make a late payment by April 6 to become eligible.

Why it matters

The Triple Crown is one of the most prestigious achievements in horse racing, and the early nomination numbers indicate strong interest and depth in this year's crop of 3-year-old thoroughbreds. The high number of international entries, particularly from Japan, also highlights the growing global appeal of American horse racing.

The details

Each of the 367 nominated horses paid a $600 fee to be eligible for the three-race Triple Crown series. Trainer Todd Pletcher, a seven-time Kentucky Derby winner, leads all trainers with 31 nominations. Other top trainers with large stables in the mix include two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert (23 entries), Chad Brown (22), and Brad Cox (21). Japan's Daisuke Takayanagi also has 14 horses nominated.

• The early nomination period closed on January 26, 2026.
• Horses that were not nominated by the early deadline can make a late payment of $6,000 through April 6, 2026 to become eligible.

What’s next

Horses that were not nominated by the early deadline can still become eligible for the 2026 Triple Crown series by making a $6,000 late payment by April 6, 2026.