Eclipse Finalists Have Familiar Ring

Trainer Bobby Frankel, jockey Jerry Bailey, breeder Juddmonte Farms and the horses Azeri and High Chaparral all have opportunities to repeat as Eclipse Awards winners for 2003. The five, who won in 2002, were among the finalists announced Monday for the Eclipse Awards, which will be announced Jan. 26.

Frankel is favored to win his fourth consecutive Eclipse, which would tie the record for successive awards that was set by Laz Barrera in 1976-79. Frankel, who also won an Eclipse in 1993, could become the first to win the training award five times.

Frankel’s horses set a record for purses when they earned $19.1 million in 2003. Frankel set another record when he saddled the winners of 25 Grade I races.

Riding many of Frankel’s horses, Bailey rode a record 70 stakes winners and his mounts earned $23.3 million, another record. Bailey has won six Eclipse Awards, more than any other jockey.

Juddmonte, the international operation of Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, is one of Frankel’s most important clients. Juddmonte has won the Eclipse breeding award the last two years and three times overall. Juddmonte is also a finalist for top owner, an award it won in 1992. Three of Juddmonte’s horses -- Empire Maker, Sightseek and Heat Haze -- are finalists for divisional honors. All three were trained by Frankel, as were Medaglia d’Oro and Aldebaran, also finalists.

Azeri, who was voted horse of the year and best older female for 2002, is a finalist for best older distaffer again this time. High Chaparral, voted best male on turf in 2002 after he won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, finished in a dead heat with Johar in the Turf this year and is again a finalist.

Although horse-of-the-year finalists were not announced, Azeri is not considered a candidate, and Mineshaft is a heavy favorite.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

*

Eclipse Finalists

2-year-old male -- Action This Day, Birdstone, Cuvee.

* 2-year-old filly -- Ashado, Halfbridled, Victory U.S.A.

* 3-year-old male -- Empire Maker, Funny Cide, Ten Most Wanted.

* 3-year-old filly -- Bird Town, Elloluv, Six Perfections.

* Owner -- Ed Gann, Juddmonte Farms, Mike Gill.

* Trainer -- Bobby Frankel, Richard Mandella, Todd Pletcher.

* Jockey -- Edgar Prado, Jerry Bailey, Patrick Valenzuela.

Other finalists: Older male: Congaree, Medaglia d’Oro, Mineshaft. Older female: Adoration, Azeri, Sightseek. Sprinter: Aldebaran, Cajun Beat, Congaree. Turf male: High Chaparral, Johar, Storming Home. Turf female: Heat Haze, Islington, Six Perfections. Steeplechaser: McDynamo, Pelagos, Praise The Prince. Breeder: Stronach Farms, Niarchos Family, Juddmonte Farms. Apprentice jockey: Eddie Castro, Pablo Fragoso, Ryan Fogelsonger.