Unshaded's $100,000 Supplemental Entry Tops Belmont Stakes History

Jim Tafel, a retired publisher from Delray Beach, has made the largest supplemental entry in Belmont Stakes history by paying $100,000 to enter his 3-year-old gelding, Unshaded, in the $1 million race. The decision comes after the withdrawal of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus from the Belmont due to a hoof injury. Unshaded, owned by Tafel, has been trained by Carl Nafzger, who has won several notable races, including the 1990 Kentucky Derby with Unbridled.

Key Takeaways:

• The $100,000 supplemental entry made by Jim Tafel to enter Unshaded in the Belmont Stakes is the most expensive admission ticket purchased for a Triple Crown race.
• Unshaded, a 3-year-old gelding, has not won a race until his win in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland six weeks ago.
• The supplemental entry fee for the Belmont Stakes is $10,000 to enter and another $10,000 to start.
• Trainer Carl Nafzger and owner Jim Tafel have gone through a confusing winter and spring with Unshaded, including a lost season as a 2-year-old and a nearly disastrous attempt to get him into the Florida Derby.
• Unshaded's $100,000 supplemental entry will be the biggest in Triple Crown history, surpassing the $48,000 paid by Skip Away to enter the 1997 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Statistics:

• The Belmont Stakes purse is $1 million, with the winner receiving $600,000 and the second-place finisher receiving $200,000.
• The largest supplemental entry in Breeders' Cup history is $48,000, paid by Skip Away to enter the 1997 Classic in Hollywood Park.
• Triple Crown supplemental entries have always been rare, but none have been successful in the Kentucky Derby.
• The Belmont Stakes will feature a new $100,000 supplemental entry, the largest of its kind in the history of the Triple Crown.

Sources:

• Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
• Media guides of Triple Crown tracks
• Churchill Downs racing office
• Florida Derby records