The Casual Fan: January 2011

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Sport of Kings Bows to the Queen!

Congrats to all who one awards tonight and mega mega congrats to Zenyatta!! 2010 Horse of the Year!

Other Winners:

3 yr old colt- Lookin At Lucky

3 yr old filly- Blind Luck

2 yr old colt- Uncle Mo

2 yr old filly- Awesome Feather

Older Horse- Blame

Older Mare- Zenyatta

Male Sprinter- Big Drama

Female Sprinter- Dubai Majesty

Turf Mare- Goldikova

Turf Horse- Gio Ponti

Steeplechase- Slip Away

Top Jockey- Ramon Dominguez

Top Trainer- Todd Pletcher

Most of these I found to be no brainers, but after all the fuss for HOY I'm so glad it went to Zenyatta! I'm sure there will be many who thought she didn't deserve it but apparently those who decide the top horses thought she was something special! Needless to say many of the fans thought so too! Blame, you ran a good race too, and despite what many say will be remembered throughout time as the horse the beat Queen Z. Congrats Zenyatta and all the other winners! Can't wait to see what will happen this year! Best of health to all those running and riding!

Info from The Eclipse Award's FaceBook Page

Pic From NY Times Slideshow
Title from NTRA's BC Promo. It made me go.

Also Check Out Zenyatta's Online Diary

Confused?

Connections-> The people that "belong" to the horse: owner, trainer, and jockey usually.
Breeders' Cup--> A series of races in which the best of the best compete. Usually a win here results in an Eclipse Award.
Ecplise Award--> Awards given out at the end of the racing season naming the top horses and people in different fields.
Triple Crown-->A series of three races for colts and fillys age three. If a single horse wins all three of these races it is considered a magnificent feat.
Kentucky Derby-->The first race in the Triple Crown. Arguably the biggest race in the USA and most watched by Americans.
Preakness Stakes-->Second and shortest race in the Triple Crown.
Belmont Stakes-->Third and longest race in the Triple Crown.
Dam-->A horse's mother.
Sire-->A horse's father.
Gelding-->Castrated Male horse of any age.
Stud-->Male horse that is being used for breeding purposes.
Stallion/"Horse"--> Male horse five years old or over. "Horse" can refer to age or the general term. Usually I will be using the general sense of the word not the sex.
Colt--> Male horse 4 years old or under.
Mare--> Female horse 5 years old or over.
Filly--> Female horse four years old or under.
Quarter Horse--> Breed of horse usually associated with ranchwork but also races.
Thoroughbred--> Breed of horse usually associated with racing.