2014 ECLIPSE AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED LEXINGTON, Ky. (Wednesday, January 7, 2015) – Led by Horse of the Year candidates Bayern, California Chrome and Main Sequence, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) today announced the finalists for the 2014 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 44th annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony, presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group on Saturday evening, January 17, at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Of the 280 eligible voters representing the NTRA, the NTWAB and Daily Racing Form, 265 (94.6%) 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 2014 Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are: Horse of the Year: Bayern, California Chrome, Main Sequence Two-Year-Old Male: American Pharoah, Hootenanny, Texas Red Two-Year-Old Filly: Condo Commando, Lady Eli, Take Charge Brandi Three-Year-Old Male: Bayern, California Chrome, Shared Belief Three-Year-Old Filly: Stopchargingmaria, Sweet Reason, Untapable Older Male: Main Sequence, Palace Malice, Wise Dan Older Female: Close Hatches, Dayatthespa, Don’t Tell Sophia Male Sprinter: Goldencents, Private Zone, Work All Week Female Sprinter: Artemis Agrotera, Judy the Beauty, Sweet Reason Male Turf Horse: Karakontie (JPN), Main Sequence, Wise Dan Female Turf Horse: Crown Queen, Dayatthespa, Stephanie’s Kitten Steeplechase Horse: Demonstrative, Divine Fortune, Makari (GB) Owner: Kaleem Shah, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Ken and Sarah Ramsey Breeder: Adena Springs, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Winchell Thoroughbreds Trainer: Bob Baffert, Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher Jockey: Javier Castellano, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez Apprentice Jockey: Angel Cruz, Taylor Rice, Drayden Van Dyke In addition to honoring the 17 winners in the horse and human categories, longtime New York Racing Association track announcer Tom Durkin will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit and Old Friends Farm will be recognized with an Eclipse Special Award. Jose Arias will receive an Eclipse Award as the Handicapper of the Year. Members of the media will be honored for outstanding coverage in six categories. Tickets to The Eclipse Awards ceremony are on sale for $400 each or $4,000 for a table of 10. For reservations, please contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at mravencraft@ntra or call (859) 422-2657. For more information on The Eclipse Awards, visit ntra/eclipse-awards. The Eclipse Awards, which will be televised live on HRTV, are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies. The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. About the NTRA The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders consisting of horseplayers, racetrack operators, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement and corporate partner development. The NTRA owns and manages the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, NTRA, the Eclipse Awards, the National Handicapping Championship, NTRA Advantage, a corporate partner sales and sponsorship program, and HORSE PAC, a federal political action committee. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on NTRA, Twitter (@ntra) and Facebook (facebook/1NTRA).
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:33:23 +0000
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