Nine Late Triple Crown Nominees Include Helium, Weyburn

LOUISVILLE, KY – Hopeful connections of nine separate 3-year-olds – including Tampa Bay Derby (G2) champion Helium and Gotham Stakes (G3) upset specialist Weyburn – paid the $6,000 late fee due Monday in order to make their thoroughbreds eligible for the 2021 Triple Crown.

Along with Helium and Weyburn, the other late nominees and their most recent finishes are:

• Panadol, runner-up in the UAE Derby (G2)
• Hockey Dad, third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)
• It’s My House, winner of the Turf Paradise Derby
• Maythehorsebwithu, second in the Private Terms Stakes
• Tiz Mandate, second in the Miracle Wood Stakes
• Back Ring Luck, winner of a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park
• Carrothers, winner of a 1-mile all-weather novice race at Southwell, United Kingdom

The Triple Crown begins May 1 with the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby (G1), followed two weeks later with the Middle Jewel, the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes (G1), on May 15. The 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) wraps up the three-race series June 5.