JC / Railbird

HOF/Awards Archive

Finley’s Picks

“With the Hollywood Futurity the only race left on the year that could have any impact on the Eclipse Awards, it’s not too early to divulge my votes for divisional champions and Horse of the Year,” writes Bill Finley. No big surprises: Finley likes Ghostzapper for Horse of the Year, Speightstown for Sprinter, and Sightseek for Older Filly or Mare. (ESPN)
Comment: I can’t get excited about Ghostzapper as HOTY. He only ran four — admittedly, very good — races this year. I wouldn’t vote for Smarty Jones either. He never raced against older horses and the Chapmans’ decision to retire him so early does rankle. I’d love to see Azeri or Funny Cide get the award. True, both have more losses than wins on their 2004 records, but both are also solid champions who delivered knock-out performances in races that reminded fans of what’s so thrilling and noble about the sport.

Posted in HOF/Awards on December 8, 2004

No Phony Champions

As Eclipse award voting season begins, Dick Jerardi can’t take any more positivity. “I am here to make sure the negative has a voice. Wilko? I mean, really. Wilko?” (Daily Racing Form)

Posted in HOF/Awards on November 18, 2004

Unfairly Maligned

This year’s crop of three-year-olds may be ill-fated — Lion Heart, Birdstone, and The Cliff’s Edge were all retired with fractures — but it’s not inferior. “Some believe, based on Beyer Speed Figures, that this is a weak crop. Yet other speed figure gurus, such as Thoro-Graph’s Jerry Brown, state that some of Smarty Jones’ numbers are among the fastest ever recorded by a 3-year-old, including one race that was the fastest ever recorded.” (Blood-Horse)

Posted in HOF/Awards on November 9, 2004