The finalists for the 2020 Eclipse Awards were announced Saturday, including three standouts who are in the running for Horse of the Year: 3-year-old colt Authentic, older dirt male Improbable, and older dirt female Monomoy Girl.
The three finalists in each division were determined by voters from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Top three selections on each ballot were tabulated on a 10-5-1 points basis to name the finalists, but only the first-place votes will decide the champions.
Winners will be revealed during a virtual Eclipse Awards ceremony on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. (ET). Other honorees include Thomas Goldsmith as Horseplayer of the Year and the media award winners.
The 17 categories, with finalists listed in alphabetical order, are:
Horse of the Year: Authentic, Improbable, Monomoy Girl
It's the category we've been waiting for…
Here are your Horse of the Year nominees:
🏇: Authentic
🏇: Improbable
🏇: Monomoy GirlWho win's the Eclipse? pic.twitter.com/mUaTEShT0V
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
2-year-old male: Essential Quality, Fire at Will, Jackie’s Warrior
Three juvenile colts. Only one winner.
Here are the nominees for Champion 2-Year-Old colt:
🏇: Essential Quality
🏇: Fire At Will
🏇: Jackie's WarriorWho will take the Eclipse Award? pic.twitter.com/gRE5eqorAB
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
2-year-old filly: Aunt Pearl, Dayoutoftheoffice, Vequist
The race for Champion 2-year-old filly is on!
Who's your pick to win the Eclipse?
🏇: Aunt Pearl
🏇: Dayoutoftheoffice
🏇: Vequist pic.twitter.com/K2TjXWdDkN— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
3-year-old male: Authentic, Nadal, Tiz the Law
Some pretty impressive horses in the Champion 3-Year-Old Male category!
🏇: Authentic
🏇: Nadal
🏇: Tiz the LawWho wins the Eclipse? pic.twitter.com/wGIIIEgYX0
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
3-year-old filly: Gamine, Shedaresthedevil, Swiss Skydiver
What a crop of 3-Year-Old fillies, it was!
🏇: Gamine
🏇: Shedaresthedevil
🏇: Swiss SkydiverWho wins the Eclipse Award? pic.twitter.com/8bpOZa1D1V
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
Older dirt male: Improbable, Maximum Security, Vekoma
Older dirt female: Midnight Bisou, Monomoy Girl, Serengeti Empress
Male sprinter: Vekoma, Volatile, Whitmore
Female sprinter: Gamine, Glass Slippers, Serengeti Empress
Turf male: Channel Maker, Order of Australia, Zulu Alpha
The nominees for Champion Male Turf Horse are in!
🏇: Channel Maker
🏇: Order of Australia
🏇: Zulu AlphaWho reigns supreme on the lawn? pic.twitter.com/qU79yKV4rS
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
Turf female: Audarya, Rushing Fall, Tarnawa
The nominees for Champion Female Turf Horse are:
🏇: Audarya
🏇: Rushing Fall
🏇: TarnawaWho's 👸 of the lawn? pic.twitter.com/O7LLOB8QU5
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2021
Steeplechaser: Moscato, Rashaan, Snap Decision
Owner: Godolphin; Klaravich Stables; Spendthrift Farm, My RaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Calumet Farm, WinStar Farm
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez
Apprentice jockey: Luis Cardenas, Yarmarie Correa, Alexander Crispin
The Eclipse Awards are named in honor of the great 18th-century racehorse Eclipse, unbeaten in 18 starts and a foundation sire of the Thoroughbred.
