TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 21st, 2012

The first of the major Kentucky Derby prep races being held at Fair Grounds is scheduled for tomorrow. Called the LeComte Stakes (gr. III), it carries a purse of $175,000, of which $105,000 goes to the winner. That check can go a long way toward getting a horse into the Derby, so this race has been an important race along the Triple Crown Trail in recent years. Let's take a look at who's running!

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF (additional!) 2012 TRIPLE CROWN CONTENDERS

Toward the end of December, I compiled an extensive list of two-year-olds pointing toward the 2012 Triple Crown, ranging from such well-known colts as Hansen and Union Rags down to maidens like Najjaar and Mr. Style. It was such a fun list to create that I decided to write up a "sequel" post. So here it is -- 29 additional little-known Triple Crown contenders, the majority of them are nothing more than maiden winners, and most of them based in California. Enjoy!