Frank Sumpter's Sunland Park Derby (G3) winner Wild On Ice was among a dozen 3-year-olds that were made eligible to compete in the 2023 Triple Crown with a late $6,000 payment that was due March 27.
Wild On Ice, a 35-1 upsetter in the race, now earns 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1) for his recent victory. His connections have stated they could target the $3 million Kentucky Derby May 6.
The other late nominees: Middleham Park Racing's Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes winner Brave Emperor; Adam Ference and Bill Dory's El Camino Real Derby winner Chase the Chaos; John Salzman Jr., Fred Wasserloos, and Anthony Geruso's multiple-stakes winner Coffeewithchris; Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Jonathan Poulin's Animal Kingdom Stakes winner Eye Witness; The Del Mar Group's Sunland Park Derby third-place finisher Henry Q; Lucky Seven Stable's maiden special weight winner and Arkansas Derby entrant Interlock Empire; Brereton Jones and Naber Racing's maiden special weight winner and Arkansas Derby (G1) entrant King Russell; Big Chief Racing's recent $50,000 claim and Arkansas Derby entrant Kolomio; C2 Racing Stable's promising maiden runner-up and Florida Derby (G1) entrant Mr. Peeks; C2 Racing Stable and Stefania Farms maiden special weight winner and Florida Derby entrant Nautical Star; and LC Racing's two-time stakes winner Ninetyprcentmaddie.
In total, there are now 381 eligible 3-year-olds eligible to compete in the Triple Crown series, which consists of the Kentucky Derby, $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20, and $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) June 10.
Any horse not nominated during the early or late phases can become Triple Crown eligible through a supplemental nomination payment due at the time of entry for each Triple Crown race: Kentucky Derby ($200,000), Preakness ($150,000), and Belmont ($50,000).
