The finalists for the Eclipse Awards where announced today and this is a good time to share some thoughts that I have on these horse and human finalists.
2-year-old Male: American Pharoah, Hootenanny, Texas Red
Two of these horses won a BC race... neither will likely win. American Pharoah who knows what he would have done in the BC, but he is your likely winner in this division.
2-year-old Filly: Condo Commando, Lady Eli, Take Charge Brandi
After the BC, Lady would have been your likely winner. Now, I think Brandi will win with ease.
3-year-old Male: Bayern, California Chrome, Shared Belief
This is a tough division and if you are rooting for the non 3yo HOY finalist to win that award, then you need to root for Shared Belief. CC is your likely winner though, based on past history of horses winning two TC races. This is despite the fact the other two finalists have wins over older.
3-year-old Filly: Stopchargingmaria, Sweet Reason, Untapable
Is there anything that needs to be said? Would not be surprised if Untapable is unanimous.
Older Male: Main Sequence, Palace Malice, Wise Dan
This is not going to be a popular position, but Wise Dan shouldn't be here. Goldencents who had a great season should be here, but Dan was undefeated in his injury and illness plagued season. Main Sequence had a great second half, and Palace Malice had a great first half. I have no clue who wins this.
Older Female: Close Hatches, Dayatthespa, Don't Tell Sophia
Did Close Hatches do enough to hold off two horses who came on well in the last month and half of major racing. Not sure.
Turf Male: Karakontie, Main Sequence, Wise Dan
Two BC winners and legend. The one in the middle gets it done.
Turf Female: Crown Queen, Dayatthespa, Stephanie's Kitten
Stephanie is a great horse, Crown is trying to get out of her big sis' shadow, Day will be your winner though.
Sprint Male: Goldencents , Private Zone, Work All Week
I love Goldencents and so happy he's actually nominated this year for something. However, he's not a sprinter. Yes he won at seven furlongs, but that is more of a specialist type of distance for males. The other two finalists are six furlong G1 winners in 2014. Work All Week though has done nothing wrong on dirt. Wouldn't be surprised if Goldy wins though (I would be happy for him). Either way this division came up quite a bit better then I thought it would.
Sprint Female: Artemis Agrotera, Judy the Beauty, Sweet Reason
All three G1 winners this year. Judy though finally shines in what was an interesting year for these fillies.
Steeplechase: Demonstrative, Divine Fortune, Makari
Abstain
Breeder: Adena Springs, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Winchell Thoroughbreds
Sorry Tapit... darn those Kittens! Ramsey's I think take it again. Adena also big chance with the Zip brothers (City Zip (who they don't stand) and Ghostzapper (who they do) having a monster BC.
Owner: Kaleem Shah, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Ken and Sarah Ramsey
Shah the only owner with a HOY candidate nominated in either Breeder/Owner. Ramsey's should take this again.
Trainer: Bob Baffert, Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher
Todd... Todd.. Todd... #thatisall
Jockey: Javier Castellano, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez
It's a shame that Rajiv Maragh was injured in the JCGC. I think he had an outside chance to be part of this group had he been on Main Sequence. Javier should win this again.
Apprentice Jockey: Angel Cruz, Taylor Rice, Drayden Van Dyke
I think Drayden gets it, but Taylor hopefully since well girls rule.
Horse of the Year: Bayern, California Chrome, Main Sequence
Sticking with Main Sequence. However thinking more and more that CC will.
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