The Horse of the Year debate had been possibly the biggest one since 2009 when everyone was either Team Rach (Rachel Alexandra) or Team Z (Zenyatta). This year it was another good old East vs West showdown with California Chrome and Main Sequence. This year though the West won as California Chrome became the first Kentucky Derby winner to win the HOY title since Charismatic won in 1999. He is also the second Cal bred to win, Tiznow was the first in 2000. I somewhat expected CC to win, but a little disappointed as I was firmly in Main Sequence's corner. What I think had cost him was that he didn't make his US debut until July. Chrome had already won 3 G1's (SA Derby, KY Derby and Preakness) by then.
Still I will take 4 for 4 over a solid group of turf horses (keep in mind Flintshire came back to win in Hong Kong) then a horse who got beat twice by the Classic winner. However this is just my opinion. Here are the other winners on the night:
2yo Male: American Pharoah- second year in a row the BC does not matter for this division.
2yo Female: Take Charge Brandi- Nobody had a better second half of the season then she. Just like her uncle Will Take Charge.
3yo Male: California Chrome- Once he won this, Bayern's HOY chances went up in smoke.
3yo Female: Untapable- Only unanimous winner on the night
Older Male: Main Sequence- This was a tight finish between him and Palace Malice. I think maybe the Met Mile winner had done enough to hold him off. No dirt only horse has won this award since Blame won in 2010.
Older Female: Close Hatches- Last two starts of her career wheren't ideal, but rest of season was spectacular.
Turf Male: Main Sequence- No surprise here.
Turf Female: Dayatthespa- The opposite of Close Hatches where her last two starts where ideal, helped that this was a pitiful division for the US.
Sprint Male: Work All Week- Not surprising, many people wanted to see Goldencents to win but can't take a way that this guy has yet to lose on conventional dirt.
Sprint Female: Judy the Beauty- It was a big night for the brothers Zip (City Zip and Ghostzapper) with three Champions total.
Breeder and Owner: Ramseys- Kittens rule the world! Thought they would sweep and they did.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher- no surprise here
Jockey: Javier Castellano- same here
App. Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke- Keep in mind... he's only 20! So many years ahead of him and he's in possibly the second toughest jockey colony in the US and hanging in with the big guys.
Dayatthespa and Close Hatches are retired, but everyone else is scheduled to come back this year. Congrats to all the winners.
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