January 5, 2012
2011 Eclipse Award Finalists are Announced
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters today announced the finalists for 2011 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in all 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 41st annual Eclipse Awards, presented by Daily Racing Form and the Breeders’ Cup on Monday evening, January 16 at the Beverly Wilshire (a Four Seasons Hotel), in Beverly Hills, Calif. Finalists in the Horse of the Year category will be announced on the night of the ceremony
Of the 267 eligible voters representing the NTRA, the NTWAB and Daily Racing Form, 248 (92.88%) took part in this year’s voting. Finalists were determined in each category by voters’ top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis. Eclipse Award winners are determined solely by first place votes.
The Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Two-Year-Old Male: Creative Cause, Hansen, Union Rags
Two-Year-Old Filly: Grace Hall, My Miss Aurelia, Stephanie’s Kitten
Three-Year-Old Male: Animal Kingdom, Caleb’s Posse, Shackleford
Three-Year-Old Filly: It’s Tricky, Plum Pretty, Royal Delta
Older Male: Acclamation, Game on Dude, Tizway
Older Female: Awesome Maria, Blind Luck, Havre de Grace
Male Sprinter: Amazombie, Caleb’s Posse, Regally Ready
Female Sprinter: Hilda’s Passion, Musical Romance, Sassy Image
Male Turf Horse: Acclamation, Cape Blanco (IRE), St Nicholas Abbey (IRE)
Female Turf Horse: Dubawi Heights (GB), Perfect Shirl, Stacelita (FR)
Steeplechase Horse: Black Jack Blues (IRE), Decoy Daddy (IRE), Tax Ruling (IRE)
Owner: Midwest Thoroughbreds, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey,
Team Valor
Breeder: Adena Springs, Brereton C. Jones, Kenneth and
Sarah Ramsey
Trainer: Bob Baffert, Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, John Velazquez
Apprentice Jockey: Ryan Curatolo, Kyle Frey, Rosario Montanez
The 41st Annual Eclipse Awards, presented by Daily Racing Form and the Breeders’ Cup, will be held on Monday, January 16 at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, Calif. For hotel accommodations and Eclipse Awards ceremony reservations, contact Michele Ravencraft at the NTRA's Lexington office, (800) 792-6872, or e-mail mravencraft@ntra.com.
The Eclipse Awards, presented by the Daily Racing Form and Breeders’ Cup, are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.
Contact: Jim Gluckson (646) 335-6835