As Expected, Cigar Takes Eclipse for Horse of Year

The Cigar crew picked up five Eclipse Awards on Friday night, including horse-of-the-year honors, and then trainer Bill Mott and jockey Jerry Bailey quickly left in owner-breeder Allen Paulson’s jet for Florida, where their horse runs today in the $300,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

Cigar received all but two of more than 300 votes. The only other horses receiving votes were Thunder Gulch and Northern Spur, who got one apiece.

The only unanimous choice in the 25-year history of the Eclipse Awards was John Henry in 1981.

All of the awards but horse of the year had been announced last month, and the national title was a formality for Cigar, who won all 10 of his races in 1995. Cigar was also voted best older male horse. Mott won an Eclipse for best trainer, Bailey was voted best jockey and Paulson top owner.

Other 1995 champions honored at a dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado were Thunder Gulch, Serena’s Song, Northern Spur, Possibly Perfect, Maria’s Mon, Golden Attraction, Not Surprising and Lonesome Glory. Juddmonte Farms won the Eclipse for outstanding breeder, and Ramon Perez won the apprentice-jockey award.

Cigar is a 3-5 morning-line favorite in the Donn, which he won last year. Heavenly Prize, the 5-year-old mare who has earned $1.7 million, is 4-1; Wekiva Springs, Cigar’s stablemate, is 6-1. Cigar will carry 128 pounds, 11 more than Wekiva Springs and 13 more than Heavenly Prize. Others running are Star Standard, Bound by Honor, Primitive Hall, Flying Chevron and Bay Street Star.