| No matter what time of the day or night you're | | | | connections wisely took the horse to Maryland |
| reading this, odds are you're little more than a | | | | where he won the De Francis Dash at Laurel, |
| few mouse clicks away from horse betting | | | | Nov. 25. That ought to be enough to take the title |
| somewhere in the world. With action from | | | | over Bondonaro and Dubai Escapade. |
| Hollywood to Hong Kong at more than a 100 | | | | Three-year-old filly: Pine Island was the division |
| racetracks across the globe, you might think that | | | | leader heading into the Breeders' Cup Distaff but |
| would be more than enough action to satisfy | | | | broke down in the race and was humanely |
| even the most ardent of Mr. Ed followers. | | | | destroyed. Will voters recall that she had four first |
| Think again, fetlock breath. | | | | and two seconds in six starts before her death or |
| Some enterprising sportsbooks are offering odds | | | | turn to Wait a While, a graded stakes winner on |
| on which horses will pick up (not literally, of | | | | both coasts? That's not just the question but the |
| course) Eclipse Awards for racing excellence when | | | | bet. |
| the trophies are handed out in Beverly Hills, | | | | Older female: Like Pine Island, Fleet Indian broke |
| California, Jan. 22. It's a horse of another color, to | | | | down on Breeders' Cup day and could not finish |
| be sure, a different way for equine bettors to | | | | the Distaff. Her life was saved and voters will |
| match cold cash to hard convictions. | | | | have to overlook six victories in as many starts |
| Even the most adventurous bookmakers aren't | | | | prior to the BC Distaff if they want to cast |
| offering odds for every category, some of the | | | | ballots for Round Pond, who won that ill-fated |
| honors so obvious that there is no legitimate | | | | race and finished the year with three wins, a |
| contest for those awards: | | | | second and a third in five starts. |
| Two-year-old colt or gelding: Street Sense | | | | Grass male: This could be the most contentious |
| romped by 10 lengths in the Breeders' Cup | | | | category of all with as many as six candidates |
| Juvenile destroying a quality field. Although it was | | | | expected to garner votes. The edge has to go to |
| his lone stakes victory, there is no other | | | | Miesque's Approval, the winner of the Breeders' |
| alternative. | | | | Cup Mile (and four other grass races) over Red |
| Two-year-old filly: Dreaming of Anna is | | | | Rocks, Lava Man, English Channel, The Tin Man, |
| undefeated, has beaten males and rolled in the | | | | and Aragon. |
| Breeders' Cup. While it's a forgone conclusion that | | | | There's also a race of sorts among the |
| she'll win the hardware, wouldn't it be nice if some | | | | two-legged set, including trophies for top jockey, |
| innovative bet taker gave odds on whether the | | | | trainer, owner, breeder and apprentice jockey. |
| vote will be unanimous? | | | | Garrett Gomez has a clear edge over Edgar |
| Three-year-old colt or gelding: There is great | | | | Prado and Victor Espinoza for top rider while |
| sentiment for injured Kentucky Derby winner | | | | Todd Pletcher, who set a record for earnings, is |
| Barbaro but hardly anyone seriously believes that | | | | the conditioner to beat, although there will be |
| Preakness, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup | | | | sentiment (and votes) for Michael Matz, who |
| winner Bernardini won get the trophy. | | | | overcame the Barbaro tragedy to return to |
| Older male and Horse of the Year: Invasor won | | | | Churchill Downs to saddle Round Pond to a victory |
| four Grade 1 races, including the Breeders' Cup | | | | in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Other outfits earned |
| Classic, leaving no doubt as to his worthiness. | | | | more money and had more winners but the best |
| Grass Female: Ouija Board is headed to the Hall of | | | | owner statue likely will go to Roy and Gretchen |
| Fame. She should pick up an Eclipse Award on her | | | | Jackson, who drew praise for their unwavering |
| way. | | | | support of Barbaro, following that colt's surgery. |
| Those were the easy ones. There is legitimate | | | | A group of turf writers and racing secretaries will |
| competition--not to mention spirited horse | | | | make the decision as to which horses will win |
| betting--as to which horses will win in four other | | | | Eclipse Awards but if you'd rather do some horse |
| categories: | | | | betting to win a race than win a vote, the next |
| Sprint: Voters would have been reluctant to | | | | horse race is just minutes away. For those horse |
| award the title to Thor's Echo off a single victory, | | | | bettors who can't be bothered with the ballot, |
| albeit in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, so his | | | | every day is Election Day at the races. |