Baffert leads all trainers with 20 Triple Crown nominations

The 2011 Triple Crown nominations were released on Feb. 13, and Bob Baffert led the way with 20 nominees, tops among all Hall of Fame trainers on the list.  Here’s a look at some of the nominees.

Grade 1 winner Jaycito tops the list of Baffert’s hopefuls. Winner of the Norfolk S. at Hollywood/Oak Tree in October, Jaycito was also second the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in September. Jaycito could make his 2011 debut in the Feb. 20 San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita.

Another possible San Vicente starter is The Factor, who smoked six furlongs in a track-record 1:06.98 at Santa Anita, winning by 8 1/4 lengths on Dec. 26. The 108 Beyer Speed Figure is the highest for any Triple Crown nominee, along with 2-year-old champion Uncle Mo, who earned his number in the Breeders’ Cup.

Awesome Patriot, third in the Hollywood Prevue (G3) Nov. 20, got back on track with an allowance victory at Santa Anita Dec. 29. He is working regularly at Santa Anita.

An interesting unraced colt is Coming Through, a half-brother to Eight Belles, runner-up in the 2008 Derby and winner of the Grade 2 Fantasy S. Away is working regularly at Hollywood Park.

Da Ruler has a first and second in two starts at the current Santa Anita meet. The colt is a half-brother to the stakes placed Del Conte.

Sinai looked very good breaking his maiden Dec. 18, in his debut, at Hollywood Park. He came back with a solid third in the 6 1/2-furlong San Pedro on Jan. 17.

Baffert nominated a pair of colts by Tapit: the unraced Guy on the Go, who is working very well at Santa Anita and is a half-brother to two-time Grade 3 winner Social Queen. He also has nominated Uncle Sam, who just got nosed out for third in the Sham; he broke his maiden Dec. 27 at Santa Anita. Uncle Sam was purchased for $210,000 by Kaleem Shah at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Baffert is seeking his fourth Kentucky Derby (G1) victory. Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), and War Emblem (2002) all took the Run for the Roses. All three horses also won the Preakness (G1). Baffert won the 2001 Preakness and Belmont (G1) with eventual Horse of the Year Point Given, and last year’s Preakness with 3-year-old champion Lookin At Lucky.