Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hero
INVASOR
(Arg) (Candy Stripes) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner
BARBARO
(Dynaformer) highlight the list of 2006 Eclipse Award finalists released on Wednesday. Invasor, who heads the older male division, is also the
leading Horse of the Year candidate, but the finalists in that division won’t be
announced until the Eclipse Awards ceremony on January 22 at the Beverly
Wilshire Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Barbaro, who remained unbeaten with a dominating performance in the Kentucky
Derby, faces a strong challenge in the three-year-old division from
BERNARDINI (A.P. Indy). A Darley homebred, Bernardini captured the Preakness
S. (G1) after Barbaro broke down and went on to win the Travers S. (G1) and
Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) before rounding out his career with a runner-up finish
in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
DISCREET CAT (Forestry) is a finalist in both the three-year-old and sprint
divisions. While he might end up being overshadowed by Barbaro and Bernardini for
top three-year-old honors, the unbeaten colt is immensely talented, easily
winning the Cigar Mile H. (G1) last time out. It’s just a shame that Barbaro,
Bernardini and Discreet Cat never got the opportunity to settle matters on the
track. Instead, it’s left up to the Eclipse voters to decide who’s best in 2006.
STREET SENSE (Street Cry [Ire]) and
DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy), winners of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and
Juvenile Fillies (G1), respectively, are both expected to win Eclipse Awards,
and the Breeders’ Cup has a profound impact upon the Eclipse Awards each year.
Filly & Mare Turf (G1) queen
OUIJA
BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), Sprint (G1) victor
THOR’S
ECHO (Swiss Yodeler), Mile (G1) winner
MIESQUE’S APPROVAL (Miesque’s Son) and Distaff (G1) heroine
ROUND
POND (Awesome Again) are among the finalists in their respective divisions.
The 2006 Eclipse Award finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Two-Year-Old Male:
CIRCULAR QUAY (Thunder Gulch),
NOBIZ LIKE SHOBIZ (Albert the Great), Street Sense
Two-Year-Old Female: Dreaming of Anna,
OCTAVE (Unbridled’s
Song),
POINT ASHLEY (Point Given)
Three-Year-Old Male: Barbaro, Bernardini, Discreet Cat
Three-Year-Old Female:
BUSHFIRE
(Louis Quatorze),
PINE
ISLAND (Arch),
WAIT A
WHILE (Maria’s Mon)
Older Male: Invasor,
LAVA MAN
(Slew City Slew),
PREMIUM
TAP (Pleasant Tap)
Older Female:
ASI
SIEMPRE (El Prado [Ire]),
FLEET
INDIAN (Indian Charlie), Round Pond
Sprinter: Discreet Cat,
HENNY
HUGHES (Hennessy), Thor’s Echo
Male Turf Horse:
ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike), Miesque’s Approval,
THE TIN
MAN (Affirmed)
Female Turf Horse:
GORELLA
(Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB]), Ouija Board, Wait a While
Steeplechase:
MCDYNAMO
(Dynaformer),
MIXED UP
(Carnivalay),
SUR LA
TETE (Sky Classic)
Owner: Darley Stable, Lael Stables, Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Adena Springs, Darley, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Jackson
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin, Doug O’Neill, Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Russell Baze, Garrett Gomez, Edgar Prado
Apprentice Jockey: Martin Garcia, Julien Leparoux, Rosie Napravnik