Curlin, Rags to Riches Win Eclipse
Asmussen Colt and Pletcher Filly Garnered the Top 2007 Awards
Feb 17, 2008
The 2007 American Eclipse Awards yielded no surprises as Curlin, trained by Steve Asmussen, and Rags to Riches, Todd Pletcher's trainee, overwhelmed the competition once again. Curlin was voted Horse of the Year, as well as champion three-year-old male, and Rags to Riches, who beat Curlin in the Belmont Stakes, swept the filly three-year-old voting.
In addition, Pletcher captured his unprecented fourth straight top trainer award (beating out Asmussen), and Frank Stronach of Adena Springs duplicated his Canadian Sovereign Award by taking the most votes for top breeder. It was also his fourth consecutive American win.
Curlin and Rags to Riches locked up in a rematch, each garnering enough votes to hit the wire 1-2 in the Horse of the Year voting. In other category voting, first place finishers were well ahead of the field. The only slightly close vote for a category winner was for Older Male Champion, where Invasor (ARG) challenged Lawyer Ron.
Here is a break-down of the best three in category award voting: Breeder - Frank Stronach, Adena Springs, 203; Fares Farm Inc., 13; Martin and Pam Wygod, 12 ----- Owner - Shadwell Stable, 144; Stronach Stables, 59; Maggi Moss, 18 ----- Trainer - Todd Pletcher, 139; Steve Asmussen, 65; Kiaran McLaughlin, 39 ----- Jockey - Garrett Gomez, 248; Robby Albarado, 11; Russell Baze, 2 ----- Apprentice Jockey - Joe Talamo, 254; Carol Cedeno, 2; Arnaldo Bocachica, 1.
Horse of the Year - Curlin, 249; Rags to Riches, 12; Invasor (ARG), 2 ----- Champion Three-Year-Old Male - Curlin, 262; Street Sense, 3; Hard Spun, 1 ----- Female Champion Three-Year-Old - Rags to Riches, 258; Octave, 4; Panty Raid, 2 ----- Older Male Champion - Lawyer Ron, 147; Invasor (ARG), 94; Corinthian, 13 ----- Older Female Champion - Ginger Punch, 247; Nashoba's Key, 18; Take D'Tour, 1 ----- Two-Year-Old Male Champion - War Pass, 262; Court Vision, 1; Kodiak Kowboy, 1 ----- Female Champion Two-Year-Old - Indian Blessing, 250; Country Star, 11; Pure Clan, 2.
Male Sprinter - Midnight Lute, 229; Hard Spun, 18; Fabulous Strike, 9 ----- Female Sprinter - Maryfield, 155; Dream Rush, 61; River's Prayer, 32 ----- Male Turf Horse - English Channel, 251; Kip Deville, 6; After Market, 5 ----- Female Turf Horse - Lahudood (GB), 188; Nashoba's Key, 43; Precious Kitten, 16 ----- Steeplechase Champion - Good Night Shirt, 222; McDynamo, 13; Floodlights, 1.
The Eclipse Awards are determined by a system of ten points awarded for a first place vote, five points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place nod. Each person votes for his three top selections in each category. Winners are chosen by counting first-place votes only.
