Eclipse Finalists Announced
The finalists for this year’s Eclipse Awards were announced Wednesday afternoon. Ghostzapper was nominated in both the sprinter and older male categories and is one of two contenders for Horse of the Year (MSNBC). He wasn’t the only horse nominated for multiple honors: Kitten’s Joy and Ouija Board are also up for two each (LA Times). Many of the nominees have Texas ties (Star-Telegram), and unsurprisingly, quite a few have Kentucky roots (Courier-Journal).
Maryjean Wall wonders if the Eclipse Awards are for journalists to decide (Herald-Leader).
Past performances for the nominees are available at the Daily Racing Form.
| The Nominees | My Picks |
| Two-Year-Old Male: Afleet Alex, Declan’s Moon, Wilko | Afleet Alex. Don’t tell me Declan’s Moon is the best — he raced four times, in Southern California, and passed up the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Afleet Alex’s Hopeful win alone showed more potential and talent |
| Two-Year-Old Female: Balletto, Runway Model, Sweet Catomine | Sweet Catomine, of course |
| Three-Year-Old Male: Birdstone, Kitten’s Joy, Smarty Jones | Smarty Jones. Another category that’s no contest |
| Three-Year-Old Female: Ashado, Ouija Board, Stellar Jayne | Ashado. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Ouija Board win this one |
| Older Male: Ghostzapper, Pleasantly Perfect, Roses in May | Ghostzapper |
| Older Female: Azeri, Sightseek, Storm Flag Flying | Azeri. Neither Sightseek nor Storm Flag Flying compare |
| Sprinter: Ghostzapper, Pico Central, Speightstown | Speightstown. I’m basing this entirely on his Breeders’ Cup sprint, but I don’t think I’m wrong |
| Male Turf Horse: Better Talk Now, Kitten’s Joy, Singletary | Kitten’s Joy |
| Female Turf Horse: Intercontinental, Ouija Board, Ticker Tape | Ouija Board |
| Steeplechase: Hirapour, McDynamo, Preemptive Strike | McDynamo, I guess. I’m a little disappointed that Tres Touche didn’t make it into the finals |
| Owner: Michael Gill, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Stronach Stables | No opinion |
| Breeder: Adena Springs/Stronach Entities, John Franks, Juddmonte Farms | No opinion |
| Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Robert Frankel, Todd Pletcher | Todd Pletcher |
| Jockey: Rafael Bejarano, Edgar Prado, John Velazquez | John Velaquez |
| Apprentice Jockey: Pablo Fragoso, Brian Hernandez, Jr., Angel Quinones | Pablo Fragoso, just for his Saratoga season |
