Sunday Silence Is Favored to Take ’89 Eclipse Awards

Sunday Silence, trainer Charlie Whittingham and jockey Kent Desormeaux are the favorites to capture the remaining 1989 Eclipse Awards Saturday during a ceremony at Santa Anita.

Sunday Silence is the strongest choice to win in his category, Horse of the Year. The spirited black colt defeated rival Easy Goer in three of four meetings last year--the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Breeders’ Cup Classic--and also won the Santa Anita Derby and the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.

In all, Sunday Silence won seven of nine races in 1989 to boost his career earnings in 12 starts to $4,600,154--the third-highest figure in thoroughbred racing history. He has already been voted an Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old.

The colt, who underwent arthroscopic surgery Nov. 16 to remove a bone chip in his knee, is expected to resume training this spring. He’s seeking to become the fourth straight horse campaigned at Santa Anita to win Horse of the Year. The last three were Alysheba, Ferdinand and Lady’s Secret.

The other contenders for Horse of the Year include Easy Goer, who denied Sunday Silence the Triple Crown with a victory in the Belmont and also captured the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup; and Bayakoa, a 5-year-old who won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and a 1989 Eclipse Award for older filly or mare.

The 76-year-old Whittingham, who trained Sunday Silence, reached the $11-million mark in career earnings in 1989 and was ranked second nationally in earnings. The Hall of Famer is seeking his third Eclipse Award.

Also in line for the Outstanding Trainer honor is last year’s winner Shug McGaughey; D. Wayne Lukas, an Eclipse winner 1985 through 1987; 1981 winner Ron McAnally, and Neal Drysdale, who conditioned Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Prized.

Desormeaux, racing primarily at Laurel and Pimlico in Maryland, set a jockey record with 597 victories.

Sunday Silence rider Chris McCarron, Angel Cordero, Laffit Pincay Jr. and Jose Santos also had outstanding seasons.

Nine Eclipse Awards were announced Jan. 8 in New York.