Top Thoroughbred racehorses, jockeys, trainers, and owners from the past year have been picked as finalists for the 42nd Annual Eclipse Awards. The finalists were announced January 5. Top horse nominees are Fort Larned, I’ll Have Another, and Wise Dan.
Jockeys making the Eclipse finalist lineup are Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, and John Velazquez. Eclipse’s top trainers for the past year are Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Dale Romans.
Named for a famous 18th Century racing and stud champion, the Eclipse Awards annually honor outstanding winners in horse racing. Voting parties included individuals with the Daily Racing Form, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.
Here’s the roster of Eclipse Award finalists for 2012 (listed alphabetically by award title):
- 2-Year-Old Filly: Beholder, Dreaming of Julia, Executiveprivilege
- 2-Year-Old Male: Shanghai Bobby, Uncaptured, Violence
- 3-Year-Old Filly: Believe You Can, My Miss Aurelia, Questing
- 3-Year-Old Male: Bodemeister, I'll Have Another, Union Rags
- Apprentice Jockey: Jose Montano, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Angel Suarez
- Breeder: Adena Springs, Darley, Brereton C. Jones
- Female Sprinter: Contested, Groupie Doll, Mizdirection
- Female Turf Horse: Marketing Mix, Tapitsfly, Zagora
- Horse of the Year: Fort Larned, I'll Have Another, Wise Dan
- Jockey: Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, John Velazquez
- Male Sprinter: The Lumber Guy, Shackleford, Trinniberg
- Male Turf Horse: Little Mike, Point of Entry, Wise Dan
- Older Female: Groupie Doll, Include Me Out, Royal Delta
- Older Male: Fort Larned, Little Mike, Wise Dan
- Owner: Godolphin Racing, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Reddam Racing
- Steeplechase Horse: Demonstrative, Divine Fortune, Pierrot Lunaire
- Trainer: Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Dale Romans
The 2012 Eclipse Award winners will be announced during the official ceremony, to take place on the evening of Saturday, January 19. The 2013 event, held at Gulfstream Park Racetrack and Casino, in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and televised live on HRTV, is presented by the Daily Racing Form, the Breeders’ Cup, and The Stronach Group.
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