Eclipse Awards 2016: How I Voted

The Eclipse Awards are the Oscars, Tony’s and Grammys of the Thoroughbred racing world. Our sport’s most accomplished horses, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and owners are recognized in a ceremony and earn a heavy statue of the tremendous racehorse and stallion, Eclipse. Born in the 1800’s, Eclipse began his career as a five-year-old. He had a perfect record of 18 victories, eight of those were walkovers.  As a sire, Eclipse, was unparalleled.  Close to 90% of modern day Thoroughbreds trace back to Eclipse. So, it’s only fitting that our champions are bestowed the honor of an Eclipse Award.

For the last 45 years, members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing and Form National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association have determined the Eclipse Award winners. Last year, 261 of 281 members, close to 93% of voters, participated in selecting the Eclipse Award winners.  

In the Equine categories, individuals are limited to voting for Thoroughbreds who have raced at least once 2016 in the United States or Canada. In the human categories, individuals are limited to voting for an owner, trainer, jockey, apprentice jockey or breeder who has raced, or whose horses have raced, at least once in the United States or Canada during 2016. All Eclipse Awards voters are required to rank three horses or individuals in each voting category. The 1-2-3 voting determines the top 3 finalists in all 17 categories, using a 10-5-1 point system basis; however, the champion is solely determined by the highest number of first-place votes.

Chip Gehrke wrote an article giving his opinions on the Eclipse Award voting process. He suggested that there should be transparency and accountability among the voters. As a member of the NTWAB, I agree that there should be transparency regarding the votes.

However, I don’t agree with Chip’s suggested guideline that voting privileges should be reviewed if members vote, “outside the box.” Granted, whoever voted for Frankel for HOY is a bit of a stretch and a “what were they thinking” moment that begs for clarification.  However, voting is simply an opinion, whether it be the Eclipse Awards, NBA, NFL or President of the United States.  Most of the time, horse racing is an opinionated sport, unless an undisputed champ such as American Pharoah or Songbird comes along. Get three avid racing writers together, and each will have differing views of the same race.

I also don’t agree that members must make selections in every division or if someone doesn’t vote one year, that they aren’t allowed to vote the following year. I found it interesting that despite Chip’s personal guidelines for those of us who do vote, he abstained from sharing his thoughts on the steeplechase division.

Below are the 2016 Eclipse Award Nominees and my selections for first, second and third in each category.

This year, five geldings have been nominated for top honors.

Nominees:

I confess that I don’t follow steeplechase racing. Three horses stood out; Rawnaq won three of four starts, including two G1 events. He finished second in his last start, beaten by more than ten lengths by Top Striker. Top Striker won his last two starts against G1 and G2 company, but was previously bested by Rawnaq by 15 lengths and also lost to Special Skills. Special Skills captured three of his last four starts, none graded, but lost to Top Striker in a listed start.

Selections: Rawnaq, Top Striker, Special Skills.

Nominees:

The obvious choice for Champion Two-Year-Old is Classic Empire. Selections: Classic Empire, Practical Joke, Oscar Performance.  

Nominees:

My decision for top honors came down to Champagne Room and New Money Honey. I felt that Champagne Room was aided by a speed-favoring track in the Juvenile Fillies. While it’s true that New Money Honey didn’t race as many times as Champagne Room, she was more consistent. Selections: New Money Honey, Champagne Room, Sweet Loretta.

Selections: Arrogate, Drefong, Nyquist.

Selections: Songbird, Catch a Glimpse, Cathryn Sophia.

Selections: California Chrome, Lord Nelson, Frosted.

Selections: Beholder, Stellar Wind, Cavorting.

Selections: Drefong, Lord Nelson, A. P. Indian.

Selections: Finest City, Taris, Carina Mia.

Selections: Flintshire, Highland Reel, Tourist.

Selections: Tepin, Miss Temple City, Lady Eli.

Horse of the Year: California Chrome

Whether you agree with my choices or not, my top selections are the result of researching past performances, reviewing races and contemplating the talent and effort put forth by our wonderful equine athletes.