Let's hear it for the boys....

Due to the craziness of the past few days, I never did post my Eclipse Awards review. For the most part, I was happy with the results. The thing that I find unfair is the fact that there were SO MANY amazing horses this year- the 2004 foal crop (these 2007 three year olds) has been compared to the illustrious foal crop of 1954. Ah, 1954, the year of the birth of Bold Ruler, Gallant Man, Round Table, etc. Racing in separate years, any one of them would have won their individual champions. But, alas, racing together, only one could win. Did it diminish the value of their successes? Not to a true fan. Then you take a look at Sham, 1973, and Alydar, 1978. In any other year, they would have been Triple Crown winners, three year old champion, probable Horse of the Year? Again, does this diminish their successes? To the record books, yes. To the true fan? They are all special.

This is how I feel this year. Street Sense, Curlin & Hard Spun were all nominated for the three year old championship. In my opinion, they all deserved to win. If only they had been born in separate years... but they were not. I freely admit that I take an emotional viewpoint when it comes to horse racing. I love Hard Spun because he never, ever gave up. He just wanted to run, and would have run forever. He speed and tendency to go strait to the front showed me that he loved to win. Sure, he didn't always cross that wire first, but he showed up every time and gave it his all. I think that he tried harder than anyone else on the field. And he showed the same heart and courage all year long. For this reason, he would have been deserving of the title 'champion'.

Then you have Street Sense, who accomplished three monumental tasks, one of which had never been accomplished before. First task- he was an great two year old, who transitioned into the great three year old right at the time of year when the other great two year olds peaked and fizzled out. Second task: He broke the "Juvenile Jinx" because he was good enough at two to win the most important two year old race of the year, and was still better at three, good enough to win the most important race for three year olds. To win the Kentucky Derby is an amazing thing in itself, but to do it as the juvenile champion against one of the best three year old crops in history- wow. Third task- He stayed through the whole entire season, continuing to race into the fall. With recent years littered by three year old heroes who couldn't finish the year- Empire Maker, Afleet Alex, Barbaro, Smarty Jones.... he accomplished more than this amazing athletes did, just by finishing his season. These facts, along with his bravery to squeeze through the smallest openings, fight head to head down the stretch for that breathtaking photo finish... Street Sense would have been a deserving champion.

Then you have Curlin. He went from maiden to GR3 winner to GR2 winner in three races. Third in the Kentucky Derby (GR1). Winner of the Preakness Stakes (GR1), second in the Belmont(GR1). First half of the year, 6 races, three stakes wins (one of which was a classic), a GR1 second and a GR1 third (also in classic races!). Late summer, he bounced with a third place effort in the Haskel (GR1), before rattling off two more Grade One wins against older horses. These are the reasons that I think Curlin was the most logical choice for Three Year Old Champion and POSSIBLY Horse of the Year (more on that part in another post!). To start the year as a green, inexperienced maiden and within months be able to compete with and WIN against some of the most talented horses that we have seen in years is nothing short of amazing. And then to win against older horses not once, but twice, when it is widely accepted that a good four year old will beat a great three year old any day of the week- this makes Curlin the true champion. He deserved it. And I predict that he is only going to get better with age. I am THRILLED that he will race again next year! It has been heartbreaking to watch all of my equine heroes retire before we ever really see what they are capable of!

I was equally pleased with the old warrior English Channel's win in the turf male category. What a way to end a fabulous career!

I admit that part of my happiness with Lawyer Ron's win in the older male category stemmed from the fact that I absolutely loved him in 2006. I remember watching him in the Arkansas and thinking to myself that this poor horse's body would never be able to run as fast as his heart wanted. He ran like he was constantly on the verge of an explosion, like his spirit would have blazed right out of his body if it meant that he could hit the wire first. This was a quality that I saw during his 2007 complain, which included a track record, but that first memory sticks with me the most. I am glad that he was awarded this honor, despite losing the last two races of his career.

I also agree that War Pass and Midnight Lute were deserving champions. I can't wait to see them on the track this year!

Well, until tomorrow, when I talk about my girls!

And yes, to the 99% of my friends whose eyes immediately glaze over when I mention horse racing, tomorrow's post will be the last for a bit... until the Derby preps get into full swing... which is SOON! :) Wa, ha, ha! "It's my blog, and I'll write what I want too, write what I want to, write what I want too!" :)