I’ve posted this video before when the blog first launched, but I thought it fitting to do so again today. It may have been a foregone conclusion ever since his scintillating win in the Breeder’s Cup Classic last October, but the National Thoroughbred Racing Association officially declared Curlin as the 2007 Eclipse Award winner for Horse of the Year last night in Beverly Hills, California. His dominating performance in the Classic, his courageous win in the Preakness, and his defeat of top older male Eclipse Award winner Lawyer Ron in the Jockey Club Gold Cup helping to distinguish Curlin from the rest of the pack. Curlin also took home the title for top 3 year old male in the nation.
As if all that weren’t enough, Curlin’s majority owner Jess Jackson, of Kendall-Jackson wine fame, officially announced that Curlin will race in 2008 as a 4 year old. This was also widely regarded as a foregone conclusion ever since the colt began training again with Steve Asmussen earlier in the month. Still, on a night when we focus our attention to the past in remembrance of all the best performances in 2007, it was nice to hear that confirmation regarding one of 2008’s biggest stars. Owner Jess Jackson told the audience at the awards ceremony that the great sport of horse racing needs heroes for the fans. With that in mind he announced that they would give a hero back to horse racing fans by allowing Curlin to return for his 4 year old campaign this year.
Regular readers of the Aspiring Horseplayer know that I became mildly obsessed with Curlin heading into the Kentucky Derby after watching him triumph in the Arkansas Derby and the Rebel Stakes. It’s been a roller coaster ride that I feel like really began right in front of our seats at Pimlico. There was a moment at the top of the stretch that day, just after Street Sense had blown by Curlin for what looked to be the winning move of the race, in which Curlin seemed to understand: “It’s now or never!” From the moment he determined to run down the great Street Sense and nip him just in time at the wire, Curlin stepped into a new level of greatness that even his strongest supporters could hardly have foreseen.
Other Eclipse Award winners included Rags to Riches for top 3 year old filly. Rags defeated Curlin in the Belmont Stakes to become the first filly to win the Belmont since 1905. War Pass and Indian Blessing took home top 2 year old colt/filly honors as expected. Smokin’ Joe Talamo took home the honors for top apprentice jockey, while Garrett Gomez held off Robbie Albarado for jockey of they year honors.
The awards ceremony closes the books on 2007 and we can now turn our attention to the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby that are approaching at tracks across the country in the upcoming months. What names will we be speaking of with reverence and awe when the 2008 Eclipse Award finalists are named? Here’s to an amazing season in 2007 that I won’t be able to forget any time in the near future.
[...] 2007 Horse of the Year, and winner of the Dubai World Cup by a record 7 3/4 lengths in his last start, the mighty Curlin is [...]