Eclipse Awards
Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Award ceremonies. The recently retired all-time North American money earner stands at Lane’s End Farm with a $75k stud fee. Undefeated miss Zenyatta took home Older Female honors.

Big Brown was unanimously voted 3yo Champion, and Proud Spell took down 3yo filly honors over her late stablemate Eight Belles.
As expected, Midshipman is the Juvenile Champ, and Stardom Bound nabbed Juvenile Filly honors.
The other equine Eclipse Awards went to Conduit (Turf Male), Forever Together (Turf Female), Benny the Bull (Male Sprinter), Indian Blessing (Female Sprinter), and Good Night …read more

ARKANSAS:
The 2009 Oaklawn Park meet kicks off on Friday (1-16-09)
CALIFORNIA:
Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker) scorched five furlongs in :57-3/5 on Jan 11th. Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby hopeful is expected to contest the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) on Feb 7th.
Fleet filly Indyanne was unable to recover from a sesamoid injury which occurred in the La Brea on Dec 27th. It was hoped that she would be saved for broodmare duties, but she had to be put down on Jan 13th.
Carla Gaines trainee Point Encounter (Point Given), an impressive opening day debut winner at Santa Anita, suffered …read more

Maryland Million founder and longtime ABC Sports sportscaster Jim McKay died from natural causes in Maryland at 86.
As a fellow Marylander, I am well aware of the impact Mr. McKay had on thoroughbred racing in our state.
I have attended several Maryland Million programs since its inception in 1986. He was a class act and will be missed.
Hall of Fame trainer Warren A. “Jimmy” Croll left us on Friday in a New Jersey hospital at age 88.
Croll began his training career in 1940, and he saddled such horses as Forward Gal and Mr. Prospector, but he would …read more