The 2013 Eclipse Awards are underway at Gulfstream Park. I’ll be posting a live blog throughout the evening with news about the winners and quotes from horsemen and owners.

Horse of the Year

WISE DAN

Race Record: 27-19-2-0 ($6,293,610)

Trainer: Charles LoPresti

Owner: Morton Fink

Breeder: Morton Fink

2013 Career Highlights:

1st - Breeders' Cup Mile - Gr. 1

1st – Maker's 46 Mile Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Woodbine Mile Stakes – Gr. 1

1st – Firecracker Handicap - Gr. 2

1st – Fourstardave Handicap - Gr. 2

2nd - Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes - Gr. 1

With his second victory as Horse of the Year, Wise Dan joins an exclusive list – Secretariat, Affirmed, Forego, Cigar, John Henry and Curlin. Wise Dan is the first horse since John Henry to earn multiple awards as Turf Male, Older Horse and Horse of the Year in consecutive years. Wise Dan holds three track records, one at 1 1/8 miles. " If the horse stays as he is (healthy) he will race long on the dirt this year." stated Wise Dan's owner Morton Fink.

Award of Merit

D. WAYNE LUKAS was the original “powerhouse” trainer who ran his stable like a corporation. He mentored young, talented assistants who have gone on to become outstanding trainers in their own right. Todd Pletcher, Mike Maker, Dallas Stuart, Kiaran McLaughlin and Mark Henning owe part of their success to the influence of Mr. Lukas. was the original “powerhouse” trainer who ran his stable like a corporation. He mentored young, talented assistants who have gone on to become outstanding trainers in their own right. Todd Pletcher, Mike Maker, Dallas Stuart, Kiaran McLaughlin and Mark Henning owe part of their success to the influence of Mr. Lukas.

Wayne Lukas started out as a Quarter Horse racing trainer. After reaching the pinnacle with 24 world champions, he began training Thoroughbreds. His first major stakes win was earned in the 1980 Preakness Stakes with Codex. From there, Lukas went straight to the top. He was the first trainer to win all three Triple Crown races in the same year with different horses. The roster of his stable is long and illustrious and includes 14 Classic winners and 19 Breeders’ Cup winners. Wayne Lukas leads all trainers in number of Classic and Breeders’ Cup victories.

Special Award

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

In only two short years since its inception, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) has managed to do something very rare in horse racing. They’ve put industry powerhouses on the same page, uniting them to grand $1 million dollars nationwide to various Thoroughbred retirement and retraining groups.

There are hundreds of Thoroughbred rescue and retraining organizations throughout the country. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance created a standard of care through an accreditation process. Retirement centers who meet the acceptable levels are eligible to apply for the donation funds. The Alliance has accredited 23 organizations in ten different states and Canada.

Female Turf

Race Record: 12-7-2-1 ($1,785,021)

Trainer: Sir Michael R. Stoute

Owner: James Wigan

Breeder: London Thoroughbred Services Ltd

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf - Gr. 1

1st – Beverly D. Stakes - Gr. 1

1st - Kilboy Estate Stakes Gr. 2

1st – Dahlia Stakes Gr. 3

The fifth Eclipse Award winner trained by Sir Michael R. Stoute, Dank was undefeated in both starts in the US this year. Her owner, James Wigan stated that she’ll return to race in the US again next year.

Male Turf

Wise Dan

Race Record: 27-19-2-0 ($6,293,610)

Trainer: Charles LoPresti

Owner: Morton Fink

Breeder: Morton Fink

2013 Career Highlights:

1st - Breeders' Cup Mile - Gr. 1

1st – Maker's 46 Mile Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Woodbine Mile Stakes – Gr. 1

1st – Firecracker Handicap - Gr. 2

1st – Fourstardave Handicap - Gr. 2

2nd - Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes - Gr. 1

Capturing Grade 1 races at five different tracks, Wise Dan was undefeated on turf this year. He’s earned back to back Eclipse Awards as Turf Male.

Steeplechase Horse

Divine Fortune

Race Record: 23-4-3-3 ($233,504)

Trainer: Jonathan E. Sheppard

Owner: Jonathan E. Sheppard

Breeder: Jonathan Sheppard

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap - Gr. 1

2nd – A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes - Gr. 1

3rd – Lonesome Glory Handicap - Gr. 1

3rd – Colonial Cup Stakes - Gr. 1

Owner

Ken and Sarah Ramsey earned over $12 million in races this year and set a record as leading owner at Keeneland. Mr. Ramsey thanked the trainers of his horses and many of the media plus racing fans for their support.

Older Female

Royal Delta

Race Record: 22-12-5-1 ($4,811,126)

Trainer: William I. Mott

Owner: Besilu Stables

Breeder: Palides Investments N.V., Inc.

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – Delaware Handicap - Gr. 1

1st – Personal Ensign Handicap - Gr. 1

1st – Sabin Stakes - Gr. 3

2nd – Beldame Invitational Stakes - Gr. 1

2nd – Fleur de Lis Handicap - Gr. 2

Royal Delta is the first mare to become a three-time Eclipse Award winner since Zenyatta.

Older Male

Wise Dan

Race Record: 27-19-2-0 ($6,293,610)

Trainer: Charles LoPresti

Owner: Morton Fink

Breeder: Morton Fink

2013 Career Highlights:

1st - Breeders' Cup Mile - Gr. 1

1st – Maker's 46 Mile Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Woodbine Mile Stakes – Gr. 1

1st – Firecracker Handicap - Gr. 2

1st – Fourstardave Handicap - Gr. 2

2nd - Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes - Gr. 1

This is the second consecutive year that Wise Dan has won in both Champion Turf and Older Male categories.

Media Eclipse Award

NBC received an Eclipse Award for live coverage of last year’s Kentucky Derby. It was the tenth Eclipse award they’ve earned.

Media Eclipse Award for Special Feature

HRTV – Saratoga War Horse – Stacy Clark Rogers accepted the award on behalf of HRTV. Created by Marilyn Lane, Saratoga War Horse matches war veterans suffering from post traumatic stress with retired horses for therapy.

Female Sprinter

Race Record: 22-11-4-4 ($2,528,850)

Trainer: William B. Bradley

Owner: Whisper Hill Farm

Breeder: Fred Bradley & William Bradley

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint - Gr. 1

1st – Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes - Gr. 2

Groupie Doll is the first mare to earn two Eclipse Awards in the female sprinter division. Groupie Doll will race again in 2014 and is slated to make her first start of the year at Gulfstream Park.

Male Sprinter

Race Record: 8-6-1-1 ($514,940)

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Owner: Crevier, Donnie and Martin, Charles V.

Breeder: Gary Rocks

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes - Gr. 1

1st – Bing Crosby Stakes - Gr. 1

Points Offthebench came back off of a serious injury to win four of five starts in 2013. Sadly, he suffered a fatal injury after a workout in October.

Leading Breeder

Ken and Sarah Ramsey earned $12 million dollars last year. Three of their home-breds won Grade 1 races within the space of a few hours. Admiral Kitten won the Secretariat Stakes, Big Blue Kitten won the Sword Dancer Invitational, and Real Solution took the Arlington Million via disqualification.

Outstanding Feature – Commentary Writer DRF’s Marty McGee earned the award for his compassionate story about Kent Desourmoux and his struggles with alcoholism and his comeback in racing.

Trainer Todd Pletcher The Six-time Eclipse Award winner C(2004 – 2007, 2010 – 2013) is now the winningest Eclipse Award Trainer, bypassing the late-Bobby Frankel who earned five awards. Pletcher trained 73 stakes winners in 2013. He’s only the third trainer to earn four consecutive Eclipse Awards, joining Bobby Frankel (2000 – 2003) and Laz Barrera 1976 – 1979).

Three Year Old Male Will Take Charge Race Record: 15-6-3-0 ($3,055,148) Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Owner: Willis D. Horton Breeder: Eaton 2013 Career Highlights: 1st - Travers Stakes - Gr. 1 1st - Clark Handicap - Gr. 1 1st - Pennsylvania Derby - Gr. 2 1st - Rebel Stakes - Gr. 2 2nd - Breeders' Cup Classic - Gr. 1 2nd - Jim Dandy Stakes - Gr. 2 Will Take Charge made the most starts of any Eclipse Award winner last year. Owner Willis D. Horton accepted the award. “I’ve never been involved in an organization as good as the horse racing organization.” Will Take Charge will race as a four year old.

Three Year Old Filly BEHOLDER Race Record: 12-8-3-0 ($3,075,000) Trainer: Richard E. Mandella Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC Breeder: Clarkland Farm 2013 Career Highlights: 1st – Las Virgenes Stakes - Gr. 1 1st – Santa Anita Oaks - Gr. 1 1st – Zenyatta Stakes - Gr. 1 1st – Breeders' Cup Distaff - Gr. 1 2nd – Kentucky Oaks - Gr. 1 Beholder became the first filly since Silverbulletday to earn the Eclipse Award at ages two and three.

Two Year Old Colt

SHARED BELIEF

Race Record: 3-3-0-0 ($451,200)

Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

Owner: Jungle Racing LLC, KMN Racing LLC, Hollendorfer, Litt, Solis II and Todaro

Breeder: Pam and Martin Wygod

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – CashCall Futurity - Gr. 1

1st – Hollywood Prevue Stakes - Gr. 3

Shared Belief tore his competition apart in all three of his starts and is one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby.

Two Year Old Filly

SHE'S A TIGER

Race Record: 6-3-3-0 ($725,650)

Trainer: Jeff Bonde

Owner: Dedomenico, M., Aldrich, A., Hernandez, L., Downey, S. and Lebherz, P.

Breeder: Dr. Rodney Orr

2013 Career Highlights:

1st – Del Mar Debutante Stakes - Gr. 1

2nd – Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies - Gr. 1

2nd – Chandelier Stakes - Gr. 1

2nd – Sorrento Stakes - Gr. 2

Despite a tough luck disqualification in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, She’s a Tiger won or placed in all of her starts. Trainer Jeff Bonde stated, “I’ve waited 53 years for this moment.”

Apprentice Jockey

Brian Hernandez, Jr . presented Victor Carrasco with the Apprentice Jockey award. The 24 year old native of Puerto Rico led all North American based apprentice jockeys in both earnings and wins in 2013, earning over $4 million dollars. He’s the tenth Maryland-based rider to win this Eclipse Award.

Outstanding Jockey Seven-time Eclipse Award Jockey Jerry Bailey presented the Eclipse Award to Javier Castellano. He lead all riders with wins in 2013 with 362. Castellano passed Ramon Dominguez’s single-season earnings record and closed out the year with over $26 million dollars.

VOTING RESULTS:

Overview:

Voting concluded January 3, 2014. Voting was on a 10-5-1 point system basis, which established the tope three finalists in each division.

54% of voters from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters voted.

Two Year Old Colt:

Shared Belief – 115

New Year’s Day – 99

Havana – 24

Honor Code – 5

Outstrip – 4

Tamarando – 1

No vote – 1

Two Year Old Filly:

She’s a Tiger – 212

Chriseliam – 15

Ria Antonia – 10

Sweet Reason – 3

Stopshopingmaria – 3

Streaming – 3

My Conquestadory – 2

Artamis Agrotera – 1

Three Year Old Colt:

Will Take Charge – 231

Orb – 15

Palace Malice – 1

Goldencents – 1

Verrazano – 1

Three Year Old Filly:

Beholder – 207

Princess of Slymar – 42

Older Male:

Wise Dan – 123

Mucho Macho Man – 93

Game On Dude – 31

Flat Out – 2

Older Female:

Royal Delta – 234

Dank – 5

Joyful Victory – 3

Tiz Miz Sue – 2

Dance to Bristol – 1

Laughing – 1

Brandy’s Secret – 1

Voter Abstention – 1

No vote – 1

Male Sprinter:

Points Offthebench – 125

Secret Circle – 70

Sahara Sky – 46

Justin Phillip – 4

Private Zone – 2

Immortal Eyes – 1

Strapping Groom – 1

Voter Abstention – 1

Female Sprinter:

Groupie Doll – 192

Mizirection – 45

Cluster of Stars – 7

Dance to Bristol – 5

Male Turf Horse:

Wise Dan – 243

Magician – 4

Obviously – 1

Point of Entry – 1

Female Turf Horse:

Dank – 229

Laughing – 6

Mizdirection – 6

Alterite – 1

Egg Drop -1

Emollient – 1

Kitten’s Dumplings – 1

Horse of the Year:

Wise Dan – 208

Mucho Macho Man – 21

Will Take Charge – 15

Dank – 1

Princess of Sylmar – 1

Royal Delta – 1

Voter Abstention - 2