Hansen was tested in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and led the entire race. Just because he was closed on at the end doesn't mean anything. Hansen ran three races. Never trailed. derbydeals.com
PLUS... Creative Cause or Union Rags are both better candidates for the 2 year-old male. Hansen failed to impress me even once... his competition wasn't all that.
Hansen is the horse for the 2 year-old-male! So right!
I think Shackleford deserves the 3 year old award. He won a major and "danced every dance" so to speak. PLUS (!!) He was able to stay healthy and keep competing.
sorry about that, anyway 2yo male- tough one, I like Union Rags to win but would be just as happy with Hansen. 3yo male- Caleb's Posse over AK, like someone mentioned earlier was the 3yo to win on BC day and with that beat older horses. Older male- I like acclamation but game on dude will win most likely win.
I agree with most of your picks, but....
Of couse animal kingdom should win 3yo champ! He won the derby and was second in the preakness, its not his fault he was out for the year because of injury. Its not fair to have calebs posse hardly run in the beginning of the year, then use him as a fresh horse at the end of the year. As for shackleford, he had only won one majior race this year and lost the rest.
I agree Frey over Curatolo. Curatolo was not consistent rider. I read a great deal of criticism of his rides especially by Andy Serling! Just becuae he rides the NY circuit does not make him the best apprentice.
Frey over Curatolo? I know Johnny V won the Derby & 2 BC races, but Ramon won a BC race, plus had more wins & money earned. It'll be close, but I'm pulling for Ramon.
Ha! Brian, my selections exactly (well OK--admitedly, I don't know my jumpers)! And I will go further to say older female be HOTY! HDG :D
Finalists for Horse of the Year will not be announced until the night of the ceremony (January 16.)
is the eclipse award for horse of the year nominees out yet im wondering who they picked and for three year old colt I want Animal Kingdom to win because of the way he wont the derby and had to be out most of the year with his injury but i would be happy with Caleb's Posse as well.
Annmatt- You need to calm down ....really. You disrespect Cape Blanco, and I won't stand for it. Your so called Older Male Acclamation was NEVER campaigned outside of California, except for the Charles Town Classic(where he finished last). Cape Blanco was Shipped in 3 separate times from Ireland, and won every time out. Staying in California, and beating only 2 good horses(TC, and GOD) in 6 races is nothing to toot your horn over. He lost to horses like Fluke, and Duke of Mischief. Sorry but Cape Blanco gets my vote for Older male, and Turf Male. When A horse wins the 3 biggest Turf races in the USA(aside from the BC Turf) Respect is a MUST. Or will the usual Dirt Bias win out.
Some inconsistencies here. For Older Male, Game On Dude was probably the best horse on dirt, but Acclamation had the better year. Conversely, Caleb's Posse had the better year, yet Animal Kingdom gets the award? As someone who believes that the Eclipse Awards should go to the best horse in each division, I agree with most of your selections. However, based on what I've seen of Cape Blanco and Acclamation I firmly believe that Acclamation was the superior racehorse. I'd give the award to him. As for HOTY, it should go to the best pound for pound horse to run in a given year. IMO, that horse is Game On Dude. I'm not nearly as passionate about this year's voting and if I was a turf writer I'd probably abstain, simply because I believe a horse should EARN Horse of the Year rather then just have it fall into their lap (Havre De Grace). 2011 simply had no worthy candidate. If it goes to her it wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would be a rather lackluster selection. As for top trainer, Todd Pletcher should never again be considered for the award after putting his ego before the equine and running yet another sick and underprepared horse in the Breeders Cup. After Life At Ten, John Veitch got sacked, John Velazquez got fined, and Pletcher, the trainer who is ultimately responsible for the animal's health, got a pass. How he kept his license is beyond me. It should go to either Mott or Baffert.
I agree completely. I don't want Animal Kingdom to win, but he probably will, unfortunately
Caleb's Posse 3 yr old without a doubt...beat older horses, only 3 yr old to win on Breeders Cup weekend. Derby vs. Breeders Cup races? 20 horse fields? should be easy decision
BTW zatt....I think your list is on the money. The union rags vs hansen might be up for debate but I have to agree that Hansen win it. But come next year, I believe Union Rags is going to smoke them.
LMAO...Someone would pick Acclamation over Cape Blanco..Are you for real? I'd like to see Acclamation make three trips like CB and then finish his last race with a bad leg and still win.
I agree with each of your picks, I guess it's true that great minds think alike!
Wow, I got a phooey! Thank you, Ann. Acclamation, as I have written, had a great year, but in each division he just fell short in my eyes. Very close in the older male, and turf male, but no cigar given by me. I also would have Caleb's Posse second in two divisions, which is a big achievement in it's own right. As for the respective 2011 seasons of Blind Luck versus Havre de Grace, I think there is a clear winner there. I do not take these choices lightly and attempt to do so with as much subjectivity as humanly possible.