Pin Oak Stud's Empirestrikesfast has been added to the list of late Triple Crown nominations after a clerical error was discovered, according to a release from Churchill Downs. The connections paid the $6,000 before the March 27 deadline but the colt's name was omitted from the list of 12 others published March 28.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Empirestrikesfast broke his maiden when debuting March 11 at Gulfstream Park. He pressed the early pace in the 1 1/16-mile dirt race, took command after six furlongs, and edged away down the stretch from heavily favored Dreamlike to score by three-quarters of a length. He completed 1 1/16 miles under Miguel Vasquez in 1:44.01, earning a 101 Equibase Speed Figure.
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The son of Empire Maker joins fellow late Triple Crown nominees Brave Emperor, Chase the Chaos, Coffeewithchris, Eye Witness, Henry Q, Interlock Empire, King Russell, Kolomio, Mr. Peeks, Nautical Star, Ninetyprcentmaddie, and Wild On Ice.
In total, there are now 382 3-year-olds eligible to compete in the Triple Crown series which consists of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1), the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1), and the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1).
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 Triple Crown race: Kentucky Derby ($200,000), Preakness ($150,000), and Belmont ($50,000).
