Big Brown up for Eclipse Award

Jan 8, 2009 - 6:57 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown on Thursday was named as a finalist to win an Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old male horse.

The Eclipse Award winners will be announced on January 26 in Miami.

After his scintillating wins in the Derby and Preakness, Big Brown was slowed by a quarter crack on his left front hoof, then finished last in the Belmont Stakes in June as he attempted to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

Big Brown returned over the summer to win the Haskell Invitational and Monmouth Stakes, but was retired in October after injuring himself in training. He finished his career with seven wins in eight starts.

Others contending for top 3-year-old male are Travers Stakes winner Colonel John and Raven's Pass.

Finalists for Horse of the Year are not announced until the night of the ceremony.

Among those who could contend for Horse of the Year honors are unbeaten Zenyatta and 2007 winner Curlin.

Zenyatta, who is 9-for-9 in her career, put an exclamation point on her 2008 campaign by winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. The 5-year-old, who won all seven of her races last year, also is a finalist in the Older Female category.

Curlin, North America's highest money winner with career earnings over $10 million, won five of seven races last year, including a triumph in the Dubai World Cup.

The complete list of Eclipse Award finalists are as follows:

2-year-old Male: Midshipmen, Old Fashioned, Vineyard Haven

2-year-old Filly: Dream Empress, Maram, Stardom Bound

3-year-old Male: Big Brown, Colonel John, Raven's Pass

3-year-old Filly: Eight Belles, Music Note, Proud Spell

Older male: Commentator, Curlin, Einstein

Older Female: Cocoa Beach, Ginger Punch, Zenyatta

Male Sprinter: Benny the Bull, Midnight Lute, Street Boss

Female Sprinter: Indian Blessing, Intangaroo, Ventura

Male Turf Horse: Conduit, Einstein, Grand Coturier

Female Turf Horse: Cocoa Beach, Forever Together, Goldikova

Steeplechase Horse: Be Certain, Good Night Shift, Sovereign Duty

Owner: Goldolphin Racing, IEAH Stables, Stronach Stables

Breeder: Adena Springs, Stonerside Stable, WinStar Farm

Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Richard Dutrow Jr., Bobby Frankel

Jockey: Robby Albarado, Rafael Bejarano, Garrett Gomez

Apprentice Jockey: Inez Karlsson, Pascacio Lopez, Abel Mariano