Hall of Fame Announcement

Today the 10 finalists for the National Racing Hall of Fame where announced. To see the full list you can click here. The Class of 4 will be announced on April 20th. Since 2016 will be a big year with two pretty much guarantee slam dunk first ballot inductees (hint one's name begins with a Z and anothers begins with R), I think these are the four who will not be on next year's ballot because they will get in this year.


Lava Man (Slew City Slew): You could say he is the modern day Seabiscuit... except he is a gelding. The Cal breds who have earned more money then he has (Best Pal and Tiznow) are in the HOF as is the only other horse to win 3 Hollywood Gold Cups in a row (Native Diver). No former claimer in history has earned more then him. If there is anything against him its the fact that his trainer is Doug O'Neill and the fact that he prob should not have come back in 09.

Kona Gold (Java Gold): Sprint winner, runner up for HOY. There isn't much wrong with him. No he doesn't have as many G1 wins as Lava Man, but he did win a BC race which Lava Man finished up track in his lone start. Also in a way Lava followed in his hoof steps as a pony in a second career.


King Leatherberry: Long time fixture on the Mid-Alantic circuit. He is currently the trainer of Ben's Cat who is considered the best turf sprinter in the US. Also he trained Ah Day who is a favorite of mine.

Chris Antley: This fourth spot came down to three jockeys, I chose Antley for a few reasons:

* Former leading jockey in the US
* 2 Derby wins (the same amount as Victor Espinoza who has 2)
* 1 Preakness (Victor has 2)
* Derby winner who went on to win HOY (Charismatic) (Victor the same with California Chrome)

He is the one that I'm the most hesitant about because of his demons and how he passed away. However he is also the one of the two that I'm more confident in (Lava Man being the other).

It was no easy choice to leave Victor Espinoza or Corey Nakatani (who I would not be surprised if he goes in as he is the jock who is most associated with Lava) out, but I wouldn't be surprised if they get in this year or next year with the two others who I mentioned earlier.