Wise Dan and Fort Larned, winners of the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Classic, respectively, and Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner I’ll Have Another, whose Triple Crown bid came to a shocking end when he was scratched on the eve of the Belmont Stakes, are the three finalists for 2012 Horse of the Year.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, whose members vote for the Eclipse Awards honoring the top horses and human performers in thoroughbred racing, made the announcement yesterday.
Eclipse finalists in other categories include Shanghai Bobby for 2-year-old male, Royal Delta for older female, Trinniberg for male sprinter, Groupie Doll for female sprinter, Dale Romans for trainer and Ramon Dominguez for jockey.
The winners will be announced at the annual Eclipse Awards dinner to be held at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 19. HRTV will televise the event live, hosted by Jeanine Edwards of ESPN.