Very Early 2015 Eclipse Award Selections

Just a few days ago, I offered my selections as to who will be voted in as the 2014 Eclipse Award winners. That was relatively easy; this is hard. As has become tradition, I’ve decided to fire up the ZATT time machine and jump forward just a little bit. Call it a fool’s mission if you must, but I’m only trying to have a little fun with some reasonably well thought out projections for the 2015 racing season.

It goes without saying that my juvenile picks are shots in the dark, but they represent a couple of yearlings that I was very impressed with at their respective sales…

Champion Two-Year-Old Colt – (Medaglia d’Oro - Mini Chat, by Deputy Minister)

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly – (Hard Spun – Layreebelle, by Tale of the Cat)

It's only been a few days since his career debut, but I really liked what I saw from Ocean Knight in his victory in an Aqueduct maiden special weight. He didn’t need to show too much speed early, and then he exuded class as he cruised up to, and by the early leaders. A smooth stride carried him to an easy victory while geared down late. His breeding and his style suggest two-turns will be no problem as he jumps on the 2015 Kentucky Derby trail. Meanwhile, Top Decile has been a filly I’ve been enamored with all fall. She lacked luck in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, but with a little development, I could easily see her developing into a Kentucky Oaks heroine for trainer, Al Stall, Jr.

Champion Three-Year-Old Male – Ocean Knight

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly – Top Decile

Palace Malice never got a chance for redemption in this year’s Breeders' Cup Classic, but he did prove, to me at least, that the talented juvenile, and Classic winning three-year-old, was continuing to improve as an older horse. With no distance limitations, I believe that the best is yet to come as a five-year-old. It should be very interesting to see him tangle with the best crop of four-year-olds in many years. To the surprise of absolutely no one, I am tabbing Untapable as the Champion Older Female for 2015. I honestly cannot fathom picking any horse other than her.

Champion Older Male Horse – Palace Malice

Champion Older Female Horse – Untapable

I saw The Big Beast up close and personal at Saratoga, and I can tell you first hand that he is aptly named. His push-button performance in the King’s Bishop was proof positive of his talent, but unfortunately he has not run since. If he comes back from minor surgery no worse from wear, look for The Big Beast to be a force to be reckoned with as a four-year-old. Another four-year-old I expect big things from in 2015 is the extremely talented daughter of Mizzen Mast, Stonetastic. She quickly was asked to go from a seasonal debut against allowance fillies to the big time, and accounted herself well. I believe her talent will become even more apparent next year.

Champion Sprinter – The Big Beast

Champion Female Sprinter – Stonetastic

Why not? Anyone surprised by the exploits of Wise Dan at this point probably has not been watching the past several years. I really have no good reason to suspect that the soon to be eight-year-old will not be the best miler going once again next year. In Crown Queen’s win in the Grade 1 QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, I saw a regally bred filly on the verge of becoming a champion. Bill Mott did not push after that, and that patience should be rewarded in 2015.

Champion Male Turf Horse – Wise Dan

Champion Female Turf Horse - Crown Queen

Call me a homer, but my super early choice for the 2015 Horse of the Year also happens to be my favorite horse in training …

Horse of the Year – Palace Malice

There you have it, eleven predictions sure to entertain at least a ghost of a chance for 2015 glory. Don’t laugh, this was not easy … Have any very early predictions of your own?