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by Jeff Lowe
True to form after commanding the spotlight throughout 2008, Big Brown, Curlin, and their individual connections are at the forefront among the finalists revealed on Thursday for the 38th Eclipse Awards.
Big Brown is a finalist for champion three-year-old male, and Curlin is a candidate for champion older male. Both also are obvious contenders for Horse of the Year, along with undefeated filly Zenyatta, but the list of finalists for that award will not be announced until the Eclipse Awards ceremony on January 26 at the Fontainebleau-Miami Beach.
Curlin would be the first back-to-back Horse of the Year since Cigar in 1995 and ’96.
IEAH Stables, the majority owner of Big Brown, is a finalist for outstanding owner, along with Godolphin Racing and Stronach Stables.
Curlin’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, has a chance to earn his first Eclipse Award after leading the nation in purse earnings and setting a North American record for victories in a season. Richard Dutrow Jr., the trainer of Big Brown, is another candidate for outstanding trainer. The third finalist is Dutrow’s close friend, Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, the award’s only five-time recipient.
Todd Pletcher is out of the running for outstanding trainer after winning the award the last four years.
Robby Albarado, Curlin's regular rider, joins defending winner Garrett Gomez and Rafael Bejarano as finalists for outstanding jockey.
Zenyatta is in line for champion older female, which would be the first Eclipse Award for her owners, Jerry and Ann Moss. The other finalists in Zenyatta’s division are defending champion Ginger Punch and Cocoa Beach (Chi).
Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs again is a finalist for outstanding breeder after winning the award each of the last four years. The other finalists are Stonerside Stable and WinStar Farm.
The Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are:Two-Year-Old Male: Midshipman, Old Fashioned, Vineyard Haven
Two-Year-Old Filly: Dream Empress, Maram, Stardom Bound
Three-Year-Old Male: Big Brown, Colonel John, Raven’s Pass
Three-Year-Old Filly: Eight Belles, Music Note, Proud Spell
Older Male: Commentator, Curlin, Einstein (BRZ)
Older Female: Cocoa Beach (CHI), Ginger Punch, Zenyatta
Male Sprinter: Benny the Bull, Midnight Lute, Street Boss
Female Sprinter: Indian Blessing, Intangaroo, Ventura
Male Turf Horse: Conduit (IRE), Einstein (BRZ), Grand Couturier (GB)
Female Turf Horse: Cocoa Beach (CHI), Forever Together, Goldikova (IRE)
Steeplechase Horse: Be Certain, Good Night Shirt, Sovereign Duty
Owner: Godolphin Racing, IEAH Stables, Stronach Stables
Breeder: Adena Springs, Stonerside Stable, WinStar Farm
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Richard Dutrow Jr., Bobby Frankel
Jockey: Robby Albarado, Rafael Bejarano, Garrett Gomez
Apprentice Jockey: Inez Karlsson, Pascacio Lopez, Abel Mariano
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