Article: Barbaro, Invasor, Bernardini Among Eclipse Award Finalists
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Barbaro, Invasor, Bernardini Among Eclipse Award Finalists
Jan 3, 11:04 AM (ET)
http://sports.iwon.com/news/01032007/v6727.html
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, Breeders' Cup Classic winner Invasor and Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini were among the Eclipse Award finalists announced Wednesday.
Three finalists in each of 15 categories were chosen, with Barbaro in contention for champion 3-year-old male after an accident in the Preakness ended his racing career. Invasor was bidding for older male, and Bernardini competed against Barbaro and Discreet Cat for 3-year-old male.
Finalists for Horse of the Year were not released. Winners will be announced Jan. 22 in Beverly Hills.
Argentine-bred Invasor upset Bernardini by a length in the $5 million BC Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4. Other finalists in the older male category are Lava Man and Premium Tap.
The awards are voted on by turf writers and racing secretaries at National Thoroughbred Racing Association tracks.
Russell Baze, who broke Laffit Pincay Jr.'s record with his 9,531st career victory in December, was a leading contender for the jockey award. Garrett Gomez and Edgar Prado were the other candidates.
Todd Pletcher, who topped his own North American single-season earnings record for trainers with $27.4 million last year, leads the Eclipse Award finalists for trainers. The others are New York-based Kiaran McLaughlin and Doug O'Neill, based in Southern California.
Pletcher is currently serving a 45-day suspension after one of his horses tested positive for a drug that isn't allowed within one week of racing.
The other finalists:
2-year-old male: Circular Quay, Nobiz Like Shobiz, Street Sense
2-year-old female: Dreaming of Anna, Octave, Point Ashley
3-year-old female: Bushfire, Pine Island, Wait a While
Sprinter: Discreet Cat, Henny Hughes, Thor's Echo
Older female: Asi Siempre, Fleet Indian, Round Pond
Male turf horse: English Channel, Miesques Approval, The Tin Man
Female turf horse: Gorella, Ouija Board, Wait a While
Steeplechase: McDynamo, Mixed Up, Sur La Tete
Apprentice jockey: Martin Garcia, Julien Leparoux, Rosie Napravnik
