The finalists for the 2009 Eclipse Awards were announced Wednesday. The winners will be announced and trophies presented on Monday January 18 at the 39th annual award ceremony, to be held in Beverly Hills. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra (right) are the two finalists for Horse of the Year, no other horse got a single vote. Get all the finalists and links to profiles for each here.

January 2nd marks the beginning of the campaign toward the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown with the Tropical Park Derby at Calder Race Course. Here are all the prep races leading up to the 2010 Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown. This list will be updated with results weekly, so check back all through the season.

Since all Northern Hemisphere racehorses have their official birthday on January 1st, here is a look at the rules for naming and registering a Thoroughbred. It isn't as easy as you might think to pick out a name that will pass the Jockey Club's very strict regulations.

Happy New Year and happy birthday to all the race horses!

My annual look back at the best and worst of horse racing for the year. Included are links to major race results and obituaries for some of the horses and people we lost in 2009.