The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) have announced the finalists for the 2023 Eclipse Awards, and 21 Kentucky-breds comprise 25 of the 33 division finalists.
The Eclipse Awards recognize excellence over the past year in Thoroughbred racing. The 53rd Eclipse Awards take place on Thursday, Jan. 25. The evening will culminate with the announcement of the 2023 Horse of the Year.
Kentucky-bred finalists in each division include:
Two-Year-Old Male: Fierceness, Locked, Muth
Two-Year-Old Filly: Candied, Hard to Justify, Just FYI
Three-Year-Old Male: Arcangelo, Mage
Three-Year-Old Filly: Pretty Mischievous, Randomized
Older Dirt Male: Cody’s Wish, Elite Power, White Abarrio
Older Dirt Female: Clairiere, Goodnight Olive, Idiomatic
Male Sprinter: Cody’s Wish, Elite Power, Gunite
Female Sprinter: Echo Zulu, Goodnight Olive
Male Turf Horse: Up to the Mark
Steeplechase Horse: Awakened, Snap Decision
Of the 250 eligible voters represented by the NTRA, consisting of member racetrack racing officials and Equibase field personnel, the NTWAB, and Daily Racing Form, 219 (88%) took part in the voting. Finalists were determined in each category by voters’ top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis. Eclipse Award winners are determined solely by first-place votes.