A 2017 foal sired by Into Mischief out of Flawless, by Mr. Greeley, Authentic was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Inc., owned by Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing, and trained by Bob Baffert. After a maiden victory in his career debut as a 2-year-old in 2019, Authentic won five of seven starts in 2021, including three Grade 1 stakes: the TVG.com Haskell Stakes, Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, and Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

He also won the G3 Sham Stakes and G2 San Felipe Stakes at his home base at Santa Anita Park. Authentic's lone defeats came in the G1 Santa Anita Derby and G1 Preakness (to 3-year-old filly champion Swiss Skydiver.

Authentic got 224 first-place votes for Horse of the Year, with Monomoy Girl receiving seven, Swiss Skydiver six and Vekoma one.

Authentic was retired to Spendthrift, where he will stand alongside his sire.

The complete list of 2020 Eclipse Awards winners appears below:

• Horse Of The Year: Authentic
• Two-Year-Old Male: Essential Quality
• Two-Year-Old Filly: Vequist
• Three-Year-Old Male: Authentic
• Three-Year-Old Filly: Swiss Skydiver
• Older Dirt Male: Improbable
• Older Dirt Female: Monomoy Girl
• Male Sprinter: Whitmore
• Female Sprinter: Gamine
• Male Turf Horse: Channel Maker
• Female Turf Horse: Rushing Fall
• Steeplechase Horse: Moscato (GB)
• Owner: Godolphin, LLC
• Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC
• Jockey: Irad Ortiz,
• Apprentice Jockey: Alexander Crispin
• Trainer: Brad Cox

In voting that concluded January 4, 2021, Eclipse Awards voters cast their ballots to rank the top three horses and individuals in each Championship division on a 10-5-1 point system.

This voting established the top three finalists in each division, whose names were released on Jan. 16, 2021.

The tallies below represent only first-place votes from members of the consolidated voting entities, NTRA, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers And Broadcasters.

Voter participation rate: 238/249 = 95.58%

Two-Year-Old Male
Essential Quality, 231; Jackie's Warrior, 6; Fire At Will, 1.

Two-Year-Old Filly
Vequist, 212; Aunt Pearl (IRE), 24; Malathaat, 1; Voter Abstention, 1.

Three-Year-Old Male
Authentic, 236; Tiz the Law, 2. 

Three-Year-Old Filly
Swiss Skydiver, 218; Gamine, 20.

Older Dirt Male
Improbable, 218; Knicks Go; 8, Vekoma, 5; Maximum Security, 4; Global Campaign, 1; Tom's d'Etat, 1; Whitmore, 1.

Older Dirt Female
Monomoy Girl, 234; Midnight Bisou, 4.

Male Sprinter
Whitmore, 132; Vekoma, 83; Volatile, 16; Charlatan, 4; C Z Rocket, 3.

Female Sprinter
Gamine, 219; Serengeti Empress, 13; Frank's Rockette, 4; Guarana, 1; Voter Abstention, 1.

Male Turf Horse
Channel Maker, 180; Zulu Alpha, 17; Order of Australia (IRE), 15; Factor This, 7; United, 7; Gufo, 4; Domestic Spending (GB), 3; Arklow, 2; War of Will, 1; Voter Abstentions, 2.

Female Turf Horse
Rushing Fall, 115; Tarnawa (IRE), 106; Magical (IRE), 8; Audarya (FR), 5; Starship Jubilee, 2; Newspaperofrecord (IRE) 1; Sharing, 1.

Steeplechase Horse
Moscato (GB), 155; Snap Decision, 28; Rashaan (IRE), 21; Iranistan,2; Voter Abstentions, 32.

Owner
Godolphin, LLC, 78; Spendthrift Farm, LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC, and Starlight Racing, 56; Klaravich Stables Inc., 47; Gary Barber, 23; Sackatoga Stables, 7; End Zone Athletics Inc., 6; Peter Callahan, 4; Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, LLC, The Elkstone Group LLC, and Bethlehem Stables, 3; Calumet Farm, 1; Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, 1; M and M Racing, 1; Maggi Moss, 1; Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey 1; Gary and Mary West, 1; Voter Abstentions, 8.

Breeder
WinStar Farm, LLC, 128; Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC, 52; Calumet Farm, 45; Godolphin, 6; Charles Fipke, 1; Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, 1; Voter Abstentions, 5.

Trainer
Brad Cox, 106; Bob Baffert, 69; Steve Asmussen, 44; Chad Brown, 8; Christophe Clement, 1; Michael Maker, 1; Peter Miller, 1; Ron Moquett, 1; Bill Mott, 1; Barclay Tagg, 1; Wesley Ward, 1; Voter Abstentions, 4.

Jockey
Irad Ortiz, Jr., 162; Joel Rosario, 54; John Velazquez, 14; Florent Geroux, 3; Tyler Gaffalione, 2; Flavien Prat, 1; Luis Saez, 1; Voter Abstention, 1.

Apprentice Jockey
Alexander Crispin, 79; Yarmarie Correa, 74; Luis Cardenas, 38; Charlie Marquez, 15; Cristian Torres, 3; Sunday Diaz, Jr. 1; Voter Abstentions, 28.

Media Eclipse Awards
Media Eclipse Awards also are given in the categories of photography, audio and multi-media Internet, news/enterprise writing, feature/commentary writing, television–feature, and television–live racing programming to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. The 2020 Media Eclipse Awards winners, determined by a judges' panel for each category and previously announced, are:

Photography – Alex Evers, Paulick Report, “A Derby Without Fans,” Sept. 21, 2020.

News/Enterprise Writing – Natalie Voss, Paulick Report – Multi-part Series: “A Decade In, How Are We Doing With Thoroughbred Aftercare?” Dec. 2, 2019; “Emptying The Ocean With A Teaspoon: The Challenges Of Aftercare,” Dec. 3, 2019; and “Aftercare Should Not Be An Afterthought: Solutions For The Future,” Dec. 4, 2019.

Feature/Commentary Writing – Natalie Voss, Paulick Report, “'An Angel On His Shoulder': This Thoroughbred's Fate Was Written In Ink,” May 13, 2020.

Television – Feature – NBC Sports, “Riders Up: The World's First Sports Bubble,” Oct. 2, 2020 on NBCSN; Produced by the Hennegan Brothers.

Television – Live Racing Programming – NBC Sports, “The Breeders' Cup World Championships,” Nov. 7, 2020; Billy Matthews and Lindsay Schanzer, producers.

Audio/Multi-Media Internet – Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN), “To Hell and Back: Belmont Marks A Deserved Triumph for New York City,” June 19, 2020; Joe Bianca, writer and narrator, Patty Wolfe, producer.

The Eclipse Awards are sponsored by Spendthrift Farm, Roberts Communications, Four Roses Bourbon, Daily Racing Form, Breeders' Cup, FanDuel Group, The Stronach Group, TVG, Dean Dorton, Stonestreet Farm, Keeneland, Racetrack Television Network, Jackson Family Wines, Florida HBPA, Runhappy, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Hallway Feeds, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

The post 2020 Eclipse Awards: Authentic Voted Horse Of The Year In A Landslide appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Finishing behind Scorpiancer in both the GI Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle S. and GI Grand National Hurdle S. in 2019, Moscato kicked off his championship campaign during a compressed steeplechase season with a dominant title defense in the GIII Temple Gwathmey Hurdle H. in Middleburg. He added a highest-level win in the GI A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase S. at Saratoga July 23, but settled for third behind Rashaan in the GI New York Turf Writers Cup H. Aug. 20, reversing their finishes in the Temple Gwathmey.

The post Moscato Named Champion Steeplechaser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Ridden by Michael Mitchell, Moscato did not begin to move forward until the final run through Saratoga’s backstretch, and Darren Nagle did not flinch aboard Optimus Prime until the last fence, located at the end of the backstretch. Thomas Garner, aboard Redicean, tried a breakaway move on Saratoga’s final turn, but Optimus Prime was eating up ground with surprising ease.

“I thought we were on trouble on the turn,” said Moscato’s trainer Jack Fisher.

Mitchell was making headway with Moscato, but he was having to work for it. They weaved through tiring horses, but in midstretch they were still two lengths behind Optimus Prime, who had hit the front shortly before the furlong pole. Moscato, responding to Mitchell’s entreaties, gradually pared Optimus Prime’s advantage and took the lead inside the final 70 yards. With Optimus Prime showing some signs of fatigue, Moscato was beginning to pull away at the line.

“Coming out of the turn, he got trapped for a little bit of room, but his stamina kicked in and he really went well to the line and got his head in front at the right time,” Mitchell said.

Winner of the GIII Temple Gwathmey H. at Virginia’s Middleburg Spring Races June 13, Moscato completed the Smithwick distance in 3:47.51 on firm turf. Trained by Ricky Hendriks, Optimus Prime finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Riverdee Stable’s Gibralfaro (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who also is trained by Fisher. Redicean finished fourth in a field of eight.

The Smithwick completed a spring hurdle stakes sweep for Bruton Street-US and Fisher. In addition to Moscato’s two wins, Snap Decision (Hard Spun) won the Virginia Gold Cup’s David Semmes Memorial June 27 and Saratoga’s Jonathan Kiser Novice S. Wednesday. Fisher said Moscato and Snap Decision would be pointed toward Saratoga’s GI New York Turf Writers Cup H. Aug. 20.

The post Moscato Scores Hard-Fought Smithwick Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Contested over eight hurdles, it was the final, flat portion of the race that decided the winner. Redicean, the leader at the conclusion of the jumps, was in front heading into the final turn before Optimus Prime, the winner of the 2018 Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup of the Spa, took the lead from the outside.

But 8-5 favorite Moscato, under rider Michael Mitchell, put in a furious finish from even further outside, finishing strong under an aggressive hand ride for a three-quarter length victory, completing the approximate 2 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf in a final time of 3:47.51.

Moscato improved to 2-for-2 in his 9-year-old year, adding to his victory in the Grade 3 Temple Gwathmey Hurdle on June 13 at Glenwood Park at Middleburg. The English-bred son of Hernando gave trainer Jack Fisher his fourth career A.P. Smithwick triumph.

“I thought we were in serious trouble on the turn,” Fisher said. “Optimus Prime cruised up there but he hadn't run in a year and I think he might have needed the race and just ran out of gas in the last sixteenth. I think he'll be very tough next time.”

Moscato, who ended his 2019 season with a third-place finish in the prestigious Grade 1 Grand National at Fair Hill in October, improved to 12-7-3 in 33 lifetime starts. He returned $5.40 on a $2 win wager and improved his career earnings to $414,677.

“The ground suits these jumpers,” Mitchell said. “It's good a good grass cover and we had a little bit of rain last night which helps these horses. Being foreign-bred they like a bit more sponginess and cut in the ground, so it wasn't an issue being wide it was more about keeping the momentum throughout the race.”

Optimus Prime, who entered with wins in four of his previous five starts [with three graded stakes wins] dating to 2018 for trainer Richard Hendriks, finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Gibralfaro for second.

Redicean and Chief Justice completed the order of finish. Pravalaguna, Surprising Soul and Winner Massagot were all eased. Belisarius was scratched.

The meet's other Grade 1 steeplechase, the $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup at 2 3/8 miles, is slated for Thursday, August 20. Fisher said both Moscato and Snap Decision, who won Wednesday's Jonathan Kiser Novice at Saratoga, are likely participants.

“We'll probably run them both in the Turf Writers,” he said.

The post Favored Moscato Delivers Sweet Finish In A.P. Smithwick Memorial appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Perhaps none was as satisfying as the GIII Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase H. victory by Bruton Street-US’s Moscato (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), named after the sweet Italian wine. Moscato will have an opportunity to make his season even sweeter in Saratoga Race Course’s GI A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase H. Thursday.

Second in the weights to Rosbrian Farm’s Optimus Prime (Fr) (Deportivo {Fr}), 9-year-old Moscato very likely will be favored in the 2 1/16-mile Smithwick off his 11-length victory in the Temple Gwathmey June 13.

The victory was everything that was expected of Moscato since his arrival in leading trainer Jack Fisher’s barn in early 2017. Bred by Kirsten Rausing and formerly trained by Oliver Sherwood, Moscato bolted through the novice division with three New York stakes victories and was American jump racing’s leading earner going into the fall season.

Fisher and the Bruton Street partners-Maryland neighbors Charles Fenwick Jr., Mike Hankin, and Charles Noell entered Moscato for the GI Grand National, but he was scratched on the eve of the Far Hills, N.J., race with an injury that kept him off the racecourse for all of 2018.

He won his comeback race, the 2019 Temple Gwathmey, but did not return to the winner’s circle until his repeat victory last month.

In between, he was unplaced only once, an eighth-place finish in Belmont Park’s GI Lonesome Glory H. behind Wendy Hendriks’ Surprising Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}), the likely pacesetter in Thursday’s Smithwick.

Bruton Street also entered Pravalaguna (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}), a front-running mare formerly trained by Willie Mullins. Shipped in for last fall’s Far Hills meet, she demolished an overmatched group of fillies and mares in the Peapack S.

The 8-year-old has not started since the Peapack. Fisher also entered Riverdee Stable’s Gibralfaro (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who found a sweet spot in the International Gold Cup’s GII David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial Hurdle S. last October.

The post Moscato Aims for Sweet Win in A. P. Smithwick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post