How do horses qualify for the Derby/Preakness/Belmont?

Question

I'm curious to know the process ---how do these horses get entered? how much does it cost?

Answer 1

Lots and they pay in at a very early age

if no payments are kept up they have to drop out or pay exrata to get back in

Its like something they do when they nominate them when born

but over 5000 horses are but most never make it so they never pay for the rest

or do not choose to for many other reasons

Answer 2

in some races

the horse has to come a win or place to beable to

go into a certain race

otherwise a race like those would be around

500 maybe more for the amount they get if they win or place

Answer 3

First, the owners must nominate the horse.  Do it in January, it's $600 for all three races.  Do it in March, it's $6,000.  After that, you have to pay the "supplementary nomination" fee - $200,000 (they did this for War Emblem, if I recall correctly).  These fees are non refundable.

Then, the owner enters the horse.  The Derby is $25,000 to enter and another $25,000 to start.

If too many owners pay all the fees, then they select the horses with the highest career earnings.

<sigh> Definitely out of my league!

Here's a link:

http://www.horse-races.net/library/derby...