Ten New Late Starters for This Year's Triple Crown

Ten more players just became eligible to race at Churchill Downs. (AP Images)

Ten new players stepped up to the table before the Saturday night deadline and paid a $6,000 late fee to remain eligible for this year’s Triple Crown. Two of the 10 are fillies from trainer Larry Jones’ barn and both bring impressive resumes.

Proud Spell exits a stunning victory in the Gr. 2 Fair Grounds Oaks where she defeated last year’s champion juvenile filly Indian Blessing.

Her stablemate, Eight Belles, comes out of an impressive win in the Gr. 3 Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 16.

Proud Spell starts in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, and Eight Belles preps in Sunday’s Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn.

My Pal Charlie, a solid runner-up in the Gr. 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, and Hey Byrn, fourth in Saturday's Gr. 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park are now on the bandwagon too.

Two of the remaining colts nominated boast non-graded stakes victories in their most recent starts. Barrier Reef hasn’t been to the post since he captured the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 2, and Big Glen from the barn of Frank Brothers got the job done in the recent Rushaway Stakes at Turfway on March 22.

Recent Fair Grounds allowance winner Jazz in the Park takes his hay and oats from conditioner Bobby Barnett. The remaining late starters include Spurrier, a Todd Pletcher pupil who brings an allowance/optional claiming victory at Aqueduct, and recent Santa Anita maiden graduates Kinsale King and Rosso Corso.

Don't forget to get your Kentucky Derby futures in the Bodog Racebook.