Led by undefeated multiple Grade 1 winner Flightline, Kentucky-breds enjoyed another banner season on the racetrack in 2022. As a result, horses bred in the Bluegrass dominate the Eclipse Award finalists for the annual Eclipse Award ceremony, slated for Thursday, Jan. 26 in South Florida.
Topped by Flightline, who is considered the leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors, Kentucky-breds are expected to take home a large majority of the championship honors, which are voted upon by the NTRA, the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association, and Daily Racing Form.
The 2022 Kentucky-bred Eclipse Award finalists are:
Two-Year-Old Male: Cave Rock, Forte
Two-Year-Old Filly: Leave No Trace, Wonder Wheel
Three-Year-Old Male: Epicenter, Taiba
Three-Year-Old Filly: Nest, Secret Oath
Older Dirt Male: Flightline, Life Is Good, Olympiad
Older Dirt Female: Clairiere, Goodnight Olive, Malathaat
Male Sprinter: Cody’s Wish, Elite Power, Jackie’s Warrior
Female Sprinter: Echo Zulu, Goodnight Olive
Female Turf Horse: Regal Glory, War Like Goddess
The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.