2008 Eclipse Award Finalists Announced
2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass on Thursday were named as finalists to win an Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old male horse.
The 2008 Eclipse Award winners will be announced on January 26 in Miami where finalists for Horse of the Year will be announced.
After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Big Brown was slowed by a quarter crack on his left front hoof, then finished last in the Belmont Stakes in June as he attempted to become horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
Big Brown returned over the summer to win the Haskell Invitational and Monmouth Stakes, but was retired in October after injuring himself in training. He finished his career with 7 wins in 8 starts.
Another contending for top 3-year-old male is Travers Stakes and Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John.
Among those who could contend for Horse of the Year honors are unbeaten Zenyatta and 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.
Zenyatta, who is 9-for-9 in her career, put an exclamation point on her 2008 campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. The 5-year-old, who won all 7 of her races last year, also is a finalist in the Older Female category.
Curlin, North America’s highest money winner with career earnings over $10 million, won 5 of 7 races in 2008, including a triumph in the Dubai World Cup.
The complete list of Eclipse Award finalists are as follows:
2-year-old Male Eclipse Award Finalists
- Midshipman
- Old Fashioned
- Vineyard Haven
2-year-old Filly Eclipse Award Finalists
- Dream Empress
- Maram
- Stardom Bound
3-year-old Male Eclipse Award Finalists
- Big Brown
- Colonel John
- Raven’s Pass
3-year-old Filly Eclipse Award Finalists
- Eight Belles
- Music Note
- Proud Spell
Older male Eclipse Award Finalists
- Commentator
- Curlin
- Einstein
Older Female Eclipse Award Finalists
- Cocoa Beach
- Ginger Punch
- Zenyatta
Male Sprinter Eclipse Award Finalists
- Benny the Bull
- Midnight Lute
- Street Boss
Female Sprinter Eclipse Award Finalists
- Indian Blessing
- Intangaroo
- Ventura
Male Turf Horse Eclipse Award Finalists
- Conduit
- Einstein
- Grand Coturier
Female Turf Horse Eclipse Award Finalists
- Cocoa Beach
- Forever Together
- Goldikova
Steeplechase Horse Eclipse Award Finalists
- Be Certain
- Good Night Shift
- Sovereign Duty
Owner Eclipse Award Finalists
- Goldolphin Racing
- IEAH Stables
- Stronach Stables
Breeder Eclipse Award Finalists
- Adena Springs
- Stonerside Stable
- WinStar Farm
Trainer Eclipse Award Finalists
- Steve Asmussen
- Richard Dutrow Jr.
- Bobby Frankel
Jockey Eclipse Award Finalists
- Robby Albarado
- Rafael Bejarano
- Garrett Gomez
Apprentice Jockey Eclipse Award Finalists
- Inez Karlsson
- Pascacio Lopez
- Abel Mariano
The Eclipse Awards are voted on by 3 groups: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers Association, and Daily Racing Form.
Tags: Be Certain, Benny the Bull, Big Brown, Cocoa Beach, Colonel John, Commentator, Conduit, Curlin, Dream Empress, Eight Belles, Einstein, Forever Together, Ginger Punch, Goldikova, Good Night Shirt, Grand Couturier, Indian Blessing, Intangaroo, Maram, Midnight Lute, Midshipman, Music Note, Old Fashioned, Proud Spell, Raven's Pass, Sovereign Duty, Stardom Bound, Street Boss, Ventura, Vineyard Haven, Zenyatta
"2008 Eclipse Award Finalists Announced" was posted on 8 January 2009 10:53 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Special Features
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