Eclipse Awards as expected

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced winners of the 2007 Eclipse Awards late Monday in Beverly Hills, Calif. Among the winners, determined by polls of the NTRA, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers Association, there were no surprises.

Horse of the Year: Curlin

Two-Year-Old Male: War Pass

Two-Year-Old Filly: Indian Blessing

Three-Year-Old Male: Curlin

Three-Year-Old Filly: Rags to Riches

Older Male: Lawyer Ron

Older Female: Ginger Punch

Jockey: Garrett Gomez

Apprentice Jockey: Joe Talamo

Trainer: Todd Pletcher


Who are these people?

We live in a democratic republic that guarantees certain freedoms, one of which is the freedom to be completely off the wall. Consider some of the horses listed below who received first-place votes in the Eclipse poll. A quick pass through this tabulation of horses -- and for that matter people --receiving first-place votes leaves you wondering what some of these people were watching.

Two-Year-Old Male: War Pass, 262; Court Vision, 1; Kodiak Kowboy, 1; Nownownow, 1. Abstentions, 2.

Two-Year-Old Filly: Indian Blessing, 250; Country Star, 11; Pure Clan, 2; Cry and Catch Me, 1; Mushka, 1; Proud Spell, 1. Abstentions, 1.

Three-Year-Old Male: Curlin, 262; Street Sense, 3; Hard Spun 1; Abstentions, 1.

Three-Year-Old Filly: Rags to Riches, 258; Octave, 4; Panty Raid, 2; Dream Rush, 1; Lear’s Princess, 1; Abstentions, 1.

Older Male: Lawyer Ron, 147; Invasor (ARG) 94; Corinthian, 13; Lava Man, 4; English Channel 3, Student Council, 2. Abstentions, 4.

Older Female: Ginger Punch, 247; Nashoba’s Key, 18, Take D’Tour, 1. Abstentions, 1.

Female Sprinter: Maryfield, 155, Dream Rush, 61; River’s Prayer, 32; Hystericalady, 12. Abstentions, 7.

Male Sprinter: Midnight Lute, 229; Hard Spun, 18; Fabulous Strike, 9; Idiot Proof, 3; Diabolical, 2; Greg’s Gold, 1; In Summation, 1; Mach Ride, 1; Smokey Stover, 1. Abstentions, 2.

Male Turf Horse: English Channel, 251; Kip Deville, 6; After Market, 5; Cloudy’s Knight, 1; Daytona (IRE), 1; Doctor Dino (FR), 1; Shakespeare, 1. Abstentions, 1.

Female Turf Horse: Lahudood (GB), 188; Nashoba’s Key, 43; Precious Kitten, 16; Citronnade, 7; Bit of Whimsy, 3; Panty Raid, 3; Honey Ryder, 2; Mrs. Lindsay, 1; Rutherienne, 1; Wait a While, 1. Abstentions, 2.

(Note: Anyone granted a vote who abstained in any racing category except steeplechase, in which more than 30 people are probably unqualified to arrive at an objective decision, should be expunged from the pool.)

Steeplechase Horse: Good Night Shirt, 222; McDynamo, 13; Floodlights, 1; Planets Aligned, 1. Abstentions, 30.

Horse of the Year: Curlin, 249; Rags to Riches, 12; Invasor (ARG) 2; Corinthian, 1; English Channel, 1; Street Sense, 1. Abstentions, 1.

Outstanding Owner: Shadwell Stable, 144; Stronach Stables, 59; Maggi Moss, 18; West Point Thoroughbreds, 8; James Tafel LLC, 7; Zayat Stables, LLC, 5; Stonestreet Stable, Padua, George Bolton and Midnight Cry Stables, 4; James Scatuorchio, 3; Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, 3; Jess Jackson, 2; Fares Farm Inc.1; Fox Hill Farms, Inc. 1; Louis D. O’Brien LLC, 1; Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc., 1; Abstentions, 10.

Outstanding Breeder: Adena Springs, 203; Fares Farm Inc., 13; Martin and Pam Wygod, 12; William S. Farish, 11; James Tafel, 8; Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, 2; Skara Glen Stables, 2; Farnsworth Farms, 1, Juddmonte Farms, 1; Eugene Melnyk, 1; Abstentions, 13.

Outstanding Trainer: Todd Pletcher, 139; Steve Asmussen, 65; Kiaran McLaughlin, 39; Carl Nafzger, 9; Bill Mott, 5; Scott Lake, 3; Dale Baird, 1; Larry Jones, 1; Graham Motion, 1; Abstentions, 4.

Outstanding Jockey: Garrett Gomez, 248; Robby Albarado, 11; Russell Baze, 2; Calvin Borel, 1; Ramon Dominguez, 1. Abstentions, 4.

Apprentice Jockey: Joe Talamo, 254; Carol Cedeno, 2; Arnaldo Bocachica, 1. Abstentions, 10.