TRIPLE CROWN: Baffert leads all trainers with 35 nominations

Bob Baffert is ahead of the pack again, leading all trainers with 35 horses nominated to the Triple Crown races.

The trainer of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has nearly 10 percent of the 368 early nominations released by Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday.

Todd Pletcher is second among trainers with 28 nominations, and Chad Brown is next with 12. The top three trainers have just over 20 percent of the nominations.

Zayat Stables, which owns American Pharoah, leads all owners with 15 nominations. Ahmed Zayat has several Triple Crown nominees with Baffert, including Jazzy Times and Justin Squared.

Nyquist, the undefeated 2-year-old champion and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, is considered the early favorite for the Derby on May 7.

The total number of nominations declined 14 percent from a year ago, it's the lowest number since 2011.

Early entry fee was $600 per horse. The late entry fee is $6,000 with a March 21 deadline.

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