1997 Eclipse Awards
Dateline: 01/08/98
The Eclipse Awards for 1997 were announced today and as usual it was more of a "what have you done for me lately" contest than who was best all year in some categories. The voters tend to remember best those late year performances like in the Breeders' Cup. Here are the winners with the vote totals for each category. The winner is linked to a summary of their Eclipse winning year with photos from the Blood Horse.
Two-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Favorite Trick (30), Coronado’s Quest (5)
Two-Year-Old Filly: Countess Diana (30), Silver Maiden (5), Nancy's Glitter (5)
Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Silver Charm (30), Deputy Commander (9), Touch Gold (9)
Three-Year-Old Filly: Ajina (30), Blushing K.D. (13), Sharp Cat (5)
Colt, Horse, or Gelding, 4 & Up: Skip Away (30), Gentlemen (15), Formal Gold (3)
Filly or Mare, 4 & Up: Hidden Lake (30), Halo America (15), Jewel Princess (1), Twice the Vice (1), Clear Mandate (1)
Male Turf Horse, 3 & Up: Chief Bearhart (30), Marlin (15), Spinning World (1.5), Influent (1.5)
Female Turf Horse, 3 & Up: Ryafan (30), Windsharp (6), Maxzene (5.5), Auntie Mame (5), Famous Digger (.5)
Sprinter, 3 & Up: Smoke Glacken (30), Elmhurst (15), Langfuhr (3)
Steeplechase Horse: Lonesome Glory (30), Brigade of Guards (9), Correggio (9)
Outstanding Owner: Carolyn Hine (2), Robert and Beverly Lewis (1)
Outstanding Trainer: Bob Baffert (2), Patrick Byrne (1)
Outstanding Jockey: Jerry Bailey (3)
Outstanding Apprentice: Tie: Roberto Rosado (1.5), Philip Teator (1.5)
Outstanding Breeder: Mr. and Mrs. John C. Mabee (42), Allen Paulson (21), Juddmonte Farms (16), John Franks (10), Foxfield (6), Arthur Appleton (1)
I had a user poll to pick the Eclipse winners which ran through December 31st. We mostly agreed with the official voters with two big exceptions, Blushing KD for best 3YO filly and Gentlemen for best older male. Here are the results with the top two vote getters totals:
Two-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Favorite Trick (194), Grand Slam (15)
Two-Year-Old Filly: Countess Diana (194), Silver Maiden (24)
Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Silver Charm (189), Free House (18)
Three-Year-Old Filly: Blushing K.D. (102), Ajina (59)
Colt, Horse, or Gelding, 4 & Up: Gentlemen (104), Skip Away (76)
Filly or Mare, 4 & Up: Hidden Lake (120), Twice the Vice (38)
Male Turf Horse, 3 & Up: Chief Bearhart (76), Spinning World (55)
Female Turf Horse, 3 & Up: Ryafan (88), Borgia (65)
Sprinter, 3 & Up: Smoke Glacken (130), Elmhurst (49)
For more info on this year's Eclipse Awards, check out these articles on the web:
- Skip Away, Silver Charm Eclipse the field from ESPN
- Jerry Bailey wins third consecutive Eclipse Award from SportsLine
- Favorite Trick Wins Eclipse Award from the Washington Post
- Skip Away, Favorite Trick, Jerry Bailey capture Eclipse Awards from Yahoo
