Early nominations for the three races of the 2013 Triple Crown are due by the close of Saturday, the three tracks hosting the races said on Wednesday.

Early nominations cost $600 and make the nominated horse eligible to start in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Mailed nominations must be postmarked with a Jan. 26 date to be accepted. Nominations can also be made online at wwww.thetriplecrown.com or via telephone with a designated representative of the three tracks prior to 11:59 p.m. on Saturday.

The Jockeys’ Guild plans to seek additional agreements with racetracks this year that would require the tracks to provide funding for the guild’s member benefits, the organization’s top official said Wednesday.

Terry Meyocks, the guild’s national manager, said that the guild would be far more aggressive this year than last year in seeking the agreements. Currently, many U.S. racetrack owners – including Churchill Downs, the New York Racing Association, and the Stronach Group – contribute to the guild’s funding, but many more racetracks do not pay.

A budget proposal released by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recommends that 1 percent of the money distributed to horsemen from slot-machine revenues be redirected toward measures affecting equine health and safety.

The proposal would raise $1.5 million for the “racing regulation account,” which presumably refers to the budget of an agency to be formed in early February combining the functions of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and the New York Lottery. The new agency is to be called the New York Gaming Commission.

The U.S. Department of Justice has told a New Jersey court that it intends to intervene in a case challenging the constitutionality of a law passed in the state authorizing betting on sports, according to paperwork filed by the department Tuesday.

Bud Reynolds, a popular and prominent Ontario owner, died of a heart attack at age 79 at his home in Caledon, Ontario last Saturday.

Reynolds, racing as the Jar Racing table in partnership with his wife, Jackie, campaigned stakes winners Shaws Creek, Catahoula Parish, Brattothecore, Costalivin, Lottacosta, and Frosty Kiss. All were trained by John Ross, who became a close friend.

“He was like a second father to me,” said Ross, from his winter base in Payson Park, Fla. “No one loved racing more than he did. He has told me how much fun he’s had, through the years.”

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The 2-year-old colt Uncaptured, a finalist in the voting for this year’s Eclipse Awards, returns on the short list for his division for Canada’s 2012 Sovereign Awards.

The Jockey Club of Canada on Tuesday announced the finalists in 16 categories, with the exception of Horse of the Year.

A total of 41 voters from across Canada were asked to rank their top three choices in each category, with points awarded on a 4-2-1 basis. The winners will be revealed at the annual Sovereign Awards ceremony.

ELMONT, N.Y. - While many of his stakes-winning, headline-grabbing Kentucky Derby prospects were putting in workouts in south Florida Sunday morning, one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s under-the-radar 3-year-olds was gearing up for his stakes debut at Belmont Park.

Revolutionary, a solid maiden winner at Aqueduct on Dec. 28, put in an eye-catching workout over the Belmont training track in preparation for a start in the Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 2.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Less than 12 hours after being named the champion 2-year-old colt of 2012, undefeated Shanghai Bobby was on the track Sunday morning here at the Palm Meadows training center, turning in his final work for his scheduled 2013 debut next Saturday in the Grade 3, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Wise Dan became the first horse since John Henry in 1981 to win three Eclipse Awards in the same year, including Horse of the Year, at the 42nd annual Eclipse Awards on Saturday night at Gulfstream Park.

He was announced as Horse of the Year at the end of the evening after having earlier won divisional titles as both champion male turf horse and champion older male. His three awards are the exact same three that went to John Henry in 1981.

One Dashing Eagle, who was named the 2012 World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse after a record-setting 2-year-old campaign, has been retired to stud at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Okla.

A 3-year-old, One Dashing Eagle will stand for a fee of $12,750. The arrangement was finalized on Friday, two days after the championship announcement.