Triple Crown nominees total 405

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A total of , including Breeders' Cup 2-year-old winners Johannesburg and Tempera, have been nominated to this year's Triple Crown, it was announced by Triple Crown Productions.

The early deadline for nominations was Jan. 19, at a cost of $500. Horses not nominated by the first deadline can still be made eligible by March 30, but the fee rises to $6,000. The Triple Crown comprises of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, the Preakness Stakes on May 18, and the Belmont Stakes on June 8. No horse has swept the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.

Johannesburg was undefeated last year, completing the year by shipping from Ireland to beat the best in the United States in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He is currently training in Ireland with trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Tempera captured the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and, like Johannesburg, is expected to be named a champion of 2001 at the Feb. 18 Eclipse Awards dinner. Tempera is currently training in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who takes over Godolphin Racing's United States-based horses after they are trained at age 2 by Eoin Harty.

With 17 horses nominated, Godolphin has more than any other owner. Suroor's 17 runners are third among trainers to D. Wayne Lukas and Todd Pletcher, each of whom have 19 nominees.

Tempera is one of 14 fillies nominated to the Triple Crown. Other well-known fillies who were nominated include Bella Bellucci, Belterra, Habibti, and You.

Among top colts nominated to the Triple Crown are Booklet, Fonz's, Harlan's Holiday, Repent, Saarland, and Siphonic.