Mucho Macho Man, the tenacious five-year-old winner of the Breeders’ Cup
Classic, has been selected to receive the 2013 Secretariat Vox Populi, or “Voice
of the People,” Award. The award recognizes the horse whose popularity and
racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition
for Thoroughbred racing.
Mucho Macho Man was the unanimous favorite among the three deciding bodies:
fans in the online vote, the Vox Populi Committee and Mrs. Penny Chenery, who
established the award in 2010. Fan interest was at record levels this year with
thousands voting in the online poll and some submitting noteworthy write-in
votes such as those from the loyal fan base of Saginaw, a racing hero to many in
the New York region.
But it was Mucho Macho Man who had emerged as the clear choice when voting
ended last Saturday. Earlier in the year, Mucho Macho Man, who carries the
colors of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, was sidelined for five months as he fought
both bacterial and viral infections. Still, the strapping bay’s earnings for
2013 were nearly $3 million with only five starts, and his impressive wins in
the Awesome Again Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic propelled him into the
limelight and further enhanced his popularity among racing fans.
Mucho Macho Man’s Breeders’ Cup win was a comeback highlight for both his
trainer Kathy Ritvo, who has endured several health issues in recent years
including a heart transplant in 2008, and his jockey Gary Stevens, who came out
of racing retirement early in 2013 after working in television for eight years
and appearing in the movie Seabiscuit.
“It is a great honor to think that a horse with such humble beginnings could
intertwine the lives and stories of so many people, and tug at the heartstrings
of racing fans from all over the world. We feel truly blessed to be a part of
this story and receive this prestigious award on behalf of Mucho Macho Man and
our team.” owners Dean and Patti Reeves said.
Mucho Macho Man now joins previous Vox Populi winners Paynter (2012), Rapid
Redux (2011) and Zenyatta (inaugural 2010).
“I think we all identified with Mucho Macho Man’s story of overcoming
adversity,” Chenery said. “It is a classic theme that transcends sports and life
and generations. And because he is poised to return in 2014, racing fans will
have much to anticipate in this champion Thoroughbred.”
The custom-made Vox Populi trophy will be presented to Mucho Macho Man’s
connections in a coast-to-coast ceremony on January 11. Stevens and the Reeves
will receive the trophy at Santa Anita Park, while Ritvo and Mucho Macho Man
will be recognized during a simultaneous presentation at Gulfstream Park. The
connections will be available at their respective locations to meet fans and
sign autographs. Both celebrations will be broadcast live on HRTV with more
detailed information to follow.
The 2013 Secretariat “Vox Populi” Award committee members are:
Charlsie Cantey – Longtime national television horse racing commentator
Steve Cauthen – Hall of Fame jockey and 1978 Triple Crown winner aboard Affirmed
Mark Ciardi – Mayhem Pictures, Producer of 2010 Disney Studio’s film
Secretariat
Jack Knowlton – Operating Manager of Sackatoga Stable who campaigned Funny Cide
Ed Seigenfeld – former Executive Vice President at Triple Crown Productions
Eric Wing – NYRA Director of Communications and Media Relations
Amy Zimmerman – Executive Producer, HRTV and Producer for NBC and ESPN racing
telecasts
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