Eclipse finalists are out

Here are the 2010 Eclipse finalists which where announced today, along with my picks for everything except for App. Jockey and Horse of the Year (app. jockey because I'm not sure what their records are and Horse of the Year I'm going to do a post a pros and cons for each horse sometime next week).

Two-Year-Old Male
Boys At Tosconova, To Honor and Serve, Uncle Mo

Uncle Mo is going to win this award, most likely by a very comfortable margin. To tell you the truth I'm a little suprised to see To Honor and Serve as a finalist as I would think either Pluck or Rouge Romance would get the nod over him. However, very happy to see him there.

Two-Year-Old Filly
Awesome Feather, R Heat Lightning, Turbulent Descent

Like Mo, Awesome Feather should win this by comfy margin. Turbulent Descent could end up being the #1 Oaks contender, and R Heat Lightning is going to be a very interesting horse to watch this year.

Three-Year-Old Male
Eskendereya, Lookin At Lucky, Paddy O’Prado

This has to be the first time in a while where the Derby winner is not a finalist. No offence to Eskendereya, but he didn't make a start after April. Lookin at Lucky should become the first 2yo champion to win at 3 in quite a while.

Three-Year-Old Filly
Blind Luck, Evening Jewel, Havre de Grace

Good to see both members of the East vs West rivalry and Evening Jewel be on the finalist list. Blind Luck should and will win, but the fact that EJ is on my split the vote with her which could open the door for Grace to sneak a few first place votes possibly.

Older Male
Blame, Quality Road, Richard’s Kid

Blame will win. The End.

Older Female
Life at Ten, Unrivaled Belle, Zenyatta

Umm why is there even other finalists in this division? Hopefully there are no mistakes this year and even with her loss in the BC, Z should be unanimous again.

Male Sprinter
Big Drama, Majesticperfection, Smiling Tiger

All three of these candiates all deserve this title. In matter of fact you can even say that Smiling Tiger should be in the 3yo catagory as well over Esky. However, he is not. With that being said, being a 3yo in this division is really really hard. Last year Zensational who probley should have won lost to Kodiak Kowboy. Which is why I'm going with a horse who would have most likely been the Sprint Champion this year in Majesticperfection. He beat Big Drama at Saratoga, and I think he would have blown the competion away at Churchill. Big Drama is actually a bit up against it since the last Sprint winner to the Eclipse the same year he won the BC was Midnight Lute. So you are saying he won the Sprint twice? Well he won the Eclipse once and that was even up in the air after bombing in the Cigar Mile in his last start of that year.
Female Sprinter
Champagne d’Oro, Dubai Majesty, Rightly So

No BC F/M Sprint winner has lost this catagory since it was created for horses who ran in 2007. Dubai Majesty won the F/M Sprint, it's her's for the taking. I would have put Switch instead of Champagne d'Oro as the third finalist, but that's just me.

Male Turf Horse
Dangerous Midge, Gio Ponti, Winchester

Outside of Paddy O' Prado (whose connections cost him a finalist spot here by putting him in the Classic), Winchester was the best Turf horse this year. I think Gio got a finalist spot just because well he's Gio. Dangerous Midge on here is a bit of redemption for his now exported sire Lion Heart.

Female Turf Horse
Goldikova (Ire), Proviso (GB), Tuscan Evening (Ire)

I don't care if she had one start in this country, Goldikova flat out deserves it this year. Not because I'm not a Proviso fan (which I'm not) nor is it because Tuscan Evening unexpectly passed away (RIP girl). However, 3 Miles in a row? That's just crazy especially since the horse she has been often compared to Miesque didn't do that. To top it off, she'll be back in November! (Hopefully)

Steeplechase Horse
Arcadius, Percussionist, Slip Away

Traditionally this goes to the horse who wins the NSA HOY. However, I believe they don't name the winner until February. With that being said, Slip Away should win this since had captured the most G1's last year I believe. However, I'm hoping Arcadius can somehow pull the upset.
Owner
Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss, WinStar Farm

Give me a W I N S T A R what does that spell? WinStar! WinStar! WinStar!!!!!!

They where 1 out of gas Super Saver away from winning the owner Triple Crown. Plus well Distorted Humor stands there. Expect a very close vote between them and the Mosses.
Breeder
Adena Springs, Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, Brereton C. Jones

I love how Blame's breeder is a finalist, but Maverick Productions once again gets jibbed. Anyway I'm rooting for the Gov. to win this.

Trainer
Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, John Shirreffs

Three very deserving candiates. Not really suprised despite Blame and Apart that Al Stall isn't on here. This is going to be a tough one. I gotta go with Todd on this, he had an amazing year with the highlight getting that ugly Derby monkey off his back. However, I would not be suprised if Bob or John wins.

Jockey
Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, John Velazquez

Apprentice Jockey
Forest Boyce, Omar Moreno, Angel Serpa

???

Horse of the Year
Blame, Goldikova (Ire), Zenyatta

Post coming next week.