Eclipse Finalists and Picks

There are only 11 days until the Eclipse Awards are held. Today, the finalists for all the catagories (except for Horse of the Year) where annonounced. Pretty much cut and dry with a few suprises, here are they are with my picks.

2-Year-Old Male: Creative Cause, Hansen, Union Rags

No suprise these where the three best horses in this catagory this year. It's really between Hansen and Union Rags. While the former has the better numbers on paper, the latter beat him where it counted... on the track. For that reason Hansen wins.

2-Year-Old Filly: Grace Hall, My Miss Aurelia, Stephanie's Kitten

Aurelia might go unanimous here, but the suprising thing won't be that. It will be that Weemissfrankie was shut out and going with Stephanie instead. Grace H. right now is my early #1 for the Oaks.

3-Year-Old Male: Animal Kingdom, Caleb's Posse, Shackleford

Many people think that Animal Kingdom deserves it in a bit of an odd year for the 3yo's. However, Caleb won 2 G1's over a 2yo Champ (Uncle Mo) and a TC race winner (Shack).

3-Year-Old Filly: It's Tricky, Plum Pretty, Royal Delta

Another cut and dry catagory, Delta just didn't beat the other 2 once in the Alabama, but she did it again in the BC.

Older Male: Acclamation, Game on Dude, Tizway

One of two catagories that are wide open. Any of these horses could win this catagory and I wouldn't have a problem with it. The early favorite is Game On Dude, but I'm thinking Acclamation will steal the prize.

Older Female: Awesome Maria, Blind Luck, Havre de Grace

A. All three horses especially the one of the middle are good horses. B. If this is not unanimous for Grace, then I have no clue.

Male Sprinter: Amazombie, Caleb's Posse, Regally Ready

As much as love Caleb, only 2 of his races this year where under a mile (Amsterdam and King's Bishop) for that I wouldn't have put him here. With that being said, the sprinting catagory was another "odd" catagory this year. I love that a turf sprinter is a finalist, but Amazombie flat out deserves this award.

Female Sprinter: Hilda's Passion, Musical Romance, Sassy Image

This one is more wide open IMO then Older Male. A coin toss has to be made and I gotta go with Sassy's Image. It would be only the second time that the BC F/M Sprint winner would not win the division. That is if this happens.

Male Turf Horse: Acclamation, Cape Blanco , St Nicholas Abbey

Cape Blanco is going to win... I'm hoping though that St. Nicholas Abbey split the vote enough for Acclamation to get close enough to make it a tight race.

Female Turf Horse: Dubawi Heights, Perfect Shirl, Stacelita

People are a little disapointed that Never Retreat is not nominated. With that said, Stacelita should win in what I think is the weakest division.

Steeplechase Horse: Black Jack Blues, Decoy Daddy, Tax Ruling

Abstain

Owner: Midwest Thoroughbreds, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Team Valor

Gotta go with Team KJ here, Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

Breeder: Adena Springs, Brereton C. Jones, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey

Adena owns this division, I think it's time for some new blood. Going with Gov. Jones.

Trainer: Bob Baffert, Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher

The Dudes, Delta/Dross or Mo. Humm... That BC sweep for Bill is prob. more then enough to get the win. And the last time that he won the Classic he was the Champion trainer (both years that Cigar won HOY actually).

Jockey: Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, John Velazquez

You have a jockey who finised strong, a jockey who is the regular rider on the no doubt about it Champion Older Female, and a jockey who finally got off the Derby shinde a year after his go to trainer did. Either way the award is heading to NY where all three are based. I guess I have to with Javier by default, but I hope Ramon gets it.

Apprentice Jockey: Ryan Curatolo, Kyle Frey, Rosario Montanez

abstain

As for who I think will be the three HOY candiates, I'm thinking Grace will def. be one, either Acclamation or Game On Dude with be the second and Cape Blanco, Union Rags, Hansen, or Aurilea will be third. My HOY pick is... Havre de Grace, I think she just did too much this year defeating Flat Out and Royal Delta, as well as her duel with Blind Luck will be more then enough to become the third female in a row to be HOY.

Good luck to all those who are nominated.