Finalists for the 2017 Eclipse Awards were announced at noon (EDT) on Friday by the three voting entities: the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form (DRF), and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Winners will be announced on the evening of January 25 at Gulfstream Park.
Of the 269 eligible voters, 250 participated. Finalists are determined in each category by voters’ top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis, but winners are determined solely by first-place votes.
The finalists in each category listed in alphabetical order:
Horse of the Year: Arrogate, Gun Runner, World Approval
Two-Year-Old Male: Bolt d’Oro, Good Magic, Solomini
Two-Year-Old Filly: Caledonia Road, Moonshine Memories, Rushing Fall
Three-Year-Old Male: Always Dreaming, Battle of Midway, West Coast
Three-Year-Old Filly: Abel Tasman, Elate, Unique Bella
Older Dirt Male: Arrogate, Collected, Gun Runner
Older Dirt Female: Forever Unbridled, Songbird, Stellar Wind
Male Sprinter: Imperial Hint, Mind Your Biscuits, Roy H
Female Sprinter: Bar of Gold, Paulassilverlining, Unique Bella
Male Turf Horse: Beach Patrol, Talismanic, World Approval
Female Turf Horse: Lady Eli, Off Limits, Wuheida
Steeplechase Horse: All the Way Jose, Mr. Hot Stuff, Scorpiancer
Owner: Godolphin Racing LLC, Juddmonte Farms, Winchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farm
Breeder: Besilu Stables LLC, Clearsky Farms, WinStar Farm, LLC
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Chad Brown
Jockey: Javier Castellano, Jose Ortiz, Mike Smith
Apprentice Jockey: Katie Clawson, Hector Rafael Diaz Jr., Evin A. Roman
In addition to the 17 equine and human categories, Eclipse Awards will also presented to owner-breeder and racetrack owner Frank Stronach (Eclipse Award of Merit), Ray Arsenault (2017 Horseplayer of the Year), and to the media for coverage in six categories.
