ABR, Vox Populi teams partner for racing's 'Fan Choice Awards'
America’s Best Racing announced Monday the creation of the inaugural “America’s Best Racing Fan Choice Awards,” including a partnership with the Secretariat Vox Populi Award. To celebrate the Fan Choice Awards, Keeneland Select will offer one randomly chosen voter a $10,000 win bet.
Voting for the awards runs from November 6-20, shortly after the 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, with the goal to provide racing fans the opportunity to have their voices heard.
AmericasBestRacing.net will host the ballots. Voting will be limited to one vote per email address. There will be 12 award categories, with five finalists per category:
Secretariat Vox Populi Horse of 2019
Best Race of 2019
Best Trainer of 2019
Best Jockey of 2019
Best Racetrack to Watch a Race
Best Racetrack for Bettors
Best Racing Fashion Event of 2019
Best Racetrack Food
Best Racetrack Cocktail
Best Racing Podcast of 2019
Best Racing Analyst of 2019
Best Race Call of 2019
The Secretariat Vox Populi Award was inaugurated in 2010 and annually recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the general public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing. "Vox Populi” is a Latin expression that means “voice of the people,” indicative how this award has led the industry in engaging fans to acclaim their favorite equine stars with the Australian mare Winx its most-recent winner.
As part of the agreement, voting for the Vox Populi Horse of 2019 will be jointly available at both AmericasBestRacing.net and Secretariat.com, while voting for the 11 remaining categories will be exclusively hosted at AmericasBestRacing.net.
Additionally, every fan who votes and submits a ballot will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes giveaway wherein one lucky winner will be selected to win a VIP trip for two to the 2020 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. The package includes an opportunity to place a $10,000 win bet presented by Keeneland Select on the Breeders’ Cup Classic, airfare, hotel, a tour of Horse Country, VIP Trophy Lounge seats, and more.
“We’re excited to provide the fans with an opportunity to have their voices heard through the inaugural America’s Best Racing Fan Choice Awards,” said TJC Media Ventures President Stephen B. Panus. “The awards will celebrate the best of the sport and lifestyle of Thoroughbred racing and honor the passion and avidity of fans of American horse racing."
“The Secretariat Vox Populi and the America's Best Racing Awards is a collaboration that is promising for both racing fans and for the sport," said Kate Tweedy, daughter of Vox Populi founder Penny Chenery. “It is an example of how the industry can forge partnerships, support one another's efforts, and still maintain an organization’s own identity. My mother was proud of the way fans embraced the Vox Populi to share their love for their favorite equine stars, and she would have been thrilled to see the award joined with this innovative venture.”
Upon the conclusion of the voting process, ABR will produce, in conjunction with the New York Racing Association, a digital video show to unveil the winners of the America’s Best Racing Fan Choice Awards, which will be hosted and streamed at AmericasBestRacing.net in mid-December and subsequently will air on Fox Sports 2.