If you didn’t tune in to Horses In the Morning yesterday, hop over and take a listen to their fun version of announcing the Eclipse Awards winners that were released on Monday night. Glenn, Jamie, and our good friend Frankie Lovato -  an Eclipse award-winning jockey and founder of Jockey World – shared their picks for each of the Eclipse Awards, and then Jennifer played a sound file of the official announcement for each award.

But just what is the big deal about the annual Eclipse Awards anyways?

History of the Eclipse Awards

Prior to 1971, the Daily Racing Form and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association each had their own yearly awards. “Horse of the Year” awarded to well-known greats like War Admiral, Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Citation, and Bold Ruler was given by the Daily Racing Form. In 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Association got in on the action and starting offering awards of their own – but picking all the same winners.

So in 1971, these two organizations along with National Turf Writer’s Association decided to team up and sponsor one set of awards. That year the official Eclipse Awards for thoroughbred racing were born, named after the great racehorse and sire Eclipse. In the mid-18th century Eclipse began racing as a 5-year-old, had 18 undefeated starts, and his foals won 344 races.

Eclipse Awards Categories

The Eclipse Awards recognize horses and people in all facets of thoroughbred racing – from the horses (of course!) to the jockey, trainers, and even the sports writers. While the “Horse of the Year” category is of course the most prestigious, horses can also earn recognition in each of these categories as well:

• 2-year-old male
• 2-year-old filly
• 3-year-old male
• 3-year-old female
• older male
• older female
• male sprinter
• female sprinter
• male turf horse
• female turf horse
• steeplechase horse

The humans involved can win:

• outstanding owner
• outstanding breeder
• outstanding trainer
• outstanding jockey
• outstanding apprentice jockey (Frankie won this one!)
• special award (to honor outstanding achievements in TB racing)

There’s also a whole section of “Media Eclipse Awards” for photography, writing, television, and audio/multi-media/internet.

How are Eclipse Award Winners Selected?

Eclipse Award members are selected by a majority vote by members of the three sponsoring organizations (Daily Racing Form, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers Association). The only criteria is the horse had to have one start on American soil. Other than that – it’s fair game.

Here’s an interesting (read:funny) article on Forbes by one of the voters on selecting Eclipse Awards winners.

The award winners are announced in a big ceremony (which was streamed live online this year) in the middle of January.

Follow the Eclipse Awards

• Winners prior to 1971
• Current Eclipse Award winners

Additionally, you can easily follow potential Eclipse award winners throughout the year through various channels online. Most major racetracks post their races on YouTube and have blog and article coverage, or you can check out the many sportsbook review websites out there (even if you’re not into gambling, they do tend to have very good coverage of the races and top horses).

This late in the game, I almost didn’t bother to do my usual heads up on the horses. But then my mother chastised me for not posting about the best part of the race – the horses – so she knew who to watch for. It made me realize that while I do know the top contenders, I don’t know anything about the rest of the field. And it’s always so much more fun to watch when you know who the horses are.

So for us crazy horsey people and only casual race fans, here’s a quick inside look at the horses set to step on to the dirt track at Churchill Downs tomorrow evening.

2011 Kentucky Derby Horses by Post Position

Post Position	Horse		Odds
1		Archarcharch Has won 2 out 3 of his 2011 prep races, including the G1 Arkansas Derby. He tends to break in the middle of pack, and then close fast at the end of the race to win. Archarcharch full info…	10-1
2		Brilliant Speed Brilliant Speed’s pedigree is very much suited for the 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby distance. He won the Grade 1 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes in prep for the Derby. He tends to do better on turf than on dirt. Brilliant Speed full info…	30-1
3		Twice the Appeal He won the Grade 3 Sunland Derby earlier this year, and his biggest advantage is having 3-time Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel in the saddle. The only other thing he has going for him is that weather predictions are calling for rain, and Twice the Appeal does well over a sloppy track. Twice the Appeal full info…	20-1
4		Stay Thirsty Won the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes and the Grade 1 Three Chimneys Hopeful. He lost to Dialed In in the Florida Derby. His chances could be improved now that stablemate Uncle Mo has been scratched from the race. Stay Thirsty full info…	20-1
5		Decisive Moment He has run second in several Grade 3 races leading up to the Kentucky Derby. He can handle a muddy track, which could be in his favor tomorrow. Decisive Moment full info…	30-1
6		Comma to the Top He is one of the more heavily raced Derby horses with a win in the Grade 1 2010 Cashcall Futurity and a 2nd in the 2011 Santa Anita Derby. He is a speed horse who likes to go the front. He is the most experienced horse in the field, but may not be able to handle the distance. Comma to the Top full info…	30-1
7		Pants on Fire Won the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby this year. He’s experienced, has great speed, stamina in his pedigree, and is coming off a 6-week break. Pants on Fire full info…	20-1
8		Dialed In Is the current favorite after winning the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and Grade 1 Florida Derby. Dialed in is an exciting closer with a penchant from running last to first. He runs very consistently, but has also never been in a field with more than 12 horses. Dialed In full info…	4-1
9		Derby Kitten Is coming off a win in the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes. While Derby Kitten has run well on turf and synthetic tracks, his one race on dirt was abysmal. However, his style and background is reminiscent of another recent long-shot Derby winner: Charismatic.	30-1
10		Twinspired Twinspired has a pedigree good on stamina – and the KY Derby distance. He’s a seasoned horse, with wins in two Graded races and spots in the money in several others. The longer the distance, the better he does. Twinspired full info…	30-1
11		Master of Hounds European-bred horse, Master of Hounds is going to have to prove in the Derby that he can run on dirt. Most of his races have been international, and while he finishes in the money doesn’t have any wins. He will likely start off the pace. Master of Hounds full info…	30-1
12		Santiva Won the Grade 1 Kentucky Jockey Club last year, and has a 2nd and a 9th in his two starts this year. He’s a stalker, meaning he sits behind the leader for most of the race and overtakes them at the end. Santiva full info…	30-1
13		Mucho Macho Man Won the Grade 2 Risen Star and ran 3rd in the Grade 1 Louisiana Derby. Mucho Macho Man has some solid momentum coming into the Derby and some good tactical speed. While his pedigree isn’t great, he has proven himself consistent and a horse to watch in his 8 starts. He can run well as a stalker or sticking close to the leaders. Mucho Macho Man full info…	12-1
14		Shackleford Lost by a head to Dialed In in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. He has won over the Churchill Downs track, and tends to go straight to the lead. Shackleford full info…	12-1
15		Midnight Interlude Midnight Interlude is trained by Bob Baffert, a 3-time Derby winner and comes with a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He was unraced as a 2-year-old though, which doesn’t bode well as the last time a horse that started as a 3-year-old won was 1882. He has early speed, but likes to sit just off the pace and save himself for the end. Midnight Interlude full info…	10-1
16		Animal Kingdom Won the Grade 3 Vinary Racing Spiral Stakes and has one other win in his 4-start history. He won the Spiral Stakes by 9 lengths easily, and should be well-suited for the Kentucky Derby length. He has never run on dirt, however. Animal Kingdom full info…	30-1
17		Soldat Won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and led wire-to-wire, before tanking in the Florida Derby where he was the favorite. This horse has speed and is experienced on dirt. We should see him very close to the pace in the Derby. Soldat full info…	12-1
18		Uncle Mo – SCRATCHED
19		Nehro Ran 2nd in two Grade 2 races: the Arkansas Derby and Louisiana Derby. He lost by 22 lengths in January, just to come back and break his maiden a month later. He’s a late bloomer, but has been getting better with each race. He’s a late runner, so will likely be towards the back of the pack and making a dash for it with Dialed In. Nehro full info…	6-1
20		Watch Me Go Won the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and has been very successful as a sprinter. While he hasn’t been consistent, that race shows that he has what it takes on the right day. He’s definitely the long-shot – but the one who could just be the surprise. Watch Me Go full info…	50-1

Regarding Horses 2011 Kentucky Derby Picks

Best Name: Pants on Fire

If a horse were to win the Kentucky Derby based on name alone, Pants on Fire would be a shoe in.

Prettiest Face: Master of Hounds

I don’t think he has a shot at winning the Kentucky Derby, but he’d do well if it was a beauty pagaent. I love his chocolate color, star and snip, and happily pointed ears as he gallops through his workout. He just looks happy.

Best Running Style: Dialed In

I can’t help but love a horse who can go from dead last to ahead at the wire – every time. He was losing the Florida Derby by 14 lengths just to rally and win by a head. This is the Derby race I’m hoping for. I don’t usually like to pick the favorite, but this is one of the few times he has my vote.

Most Likely To Win Long Shot: Twice the Appeal

He hasn’t done a whole lot, but I simply can’t discount any horse running with Calvin Borel on his back.

Best Story: Mucho Macho Man

He has a super cool trainer: Kathy Ritvo. She was born into a racing family and took over the family business just last year when her husband took a job in race management. Mucho Macho Man is her first Kentucky Derby starter. I’ll give her a big thumbs up if she wins.

So, there you have the quick run-down of the Kentucky Derby horses, as well as my top picks. Do you have any favorites, whether it be to win the race or simply because you think they’re pretty and would make a great jumper post-race-days?

But it’s now been 32 years since Affirmed won the Triple Crown, which is quite a dry spell. For a while Big Brown had our hopes up, but he never quite had the makings of “that horse” besides the fact that he totally bombed in the Belmont.

And now we have Zenyatta who has been undefeated in all of her 19 races as she heads into the Breeder’s Cup tomorrow.

And I’m realizing what many others have probably known for a while now: Zenyatta might just be the horse of MY lifetime.

She has a lot of unique aspects that make her stand out from the crowd:

For starters, she’s a girl.

She didn’t start racing until she was nearly 4-years-old, and she’s now 6.

She comes from behind. Every time.

And she’s 19-0, including winning the Breeder’s Cup Classic last year (the only filly to ever do so).

Only 20 thoroughbreds in history that have raced 10 or more times have ended their careers undefeated. And I, along with probably most of the nation, am going to be rooting for Zenyatta as she attempts to go 20-0 tomorrow at the Breeder’s Cup. The question is, if she wouldn’t win, is she still going to feel like that horse of a lifetime?

And just for fun … go for a ride on Zenyatta at Hollywood Park. Aren’t helmet cams the best?

The closest I’ve come to being a jockey is galloping an ex-stakes-winning-racehorse across a hay field. That, and riding an Equicizer in a racing saddle with crazy short stirrups (I could barely walk for the next few days). I’ve learned a bit about the crazy athleticism and lifestyle of a jockey through books like Secretariat and Seabiscuit and through my friend Frankie who was a real-life jockey for many years.

As Frankie coached me through my racing position on the back of his Equicizer, he told me about the jockey education he offers through Jockey Camp. So often, young jockeys are thrown up on the backs of these thousand-plus pound animals running over 30 miles an hour, which zero coaching. And sometimes the simplest things, like learning to change your goggles mid-flight, can make all the difference in the world.

Jockey Camp 2010

Frankie’s annual Jockey Bootcamp is right around the corner on July 30-August 1 in Norwalk, Ohio. Frankie is all about teaching those considering riding racehorses as a career how to get into the industry and how to be safe and effective.

I have always had a passion to help others with their journey and dreams of becoming a jockey. I know what it’s like to want this dream to become a jockey so badly with the passion and drive but I also know how hard it is to find the right information or any information for that matter when you are trying to get started.  I do not encourage anyone to become a jockey, but instead educate them with the realities of the dangers and skills need to ride as safely as possible. Also I give an inside look of the skills and thoughts of all my experiences as a jockey for 25 years. For the students, if this dream is real, I can help them achieve it!

Watch Frankie tell us all about jockey camp and see some clips from last year’s event

What You’ll Learn at Jockey Boot Camp

Just about everything you can think of is covered in this weekend workshop. Here are a few topics that I think look super cool:

• getting started riding race horses
• learning your race track
• a day in the life of a jockey
• finding a job on a horse farm or training center
• form, balance, and position,
• how to ride when a horse acts up
• studying a race before you ride it
• race riding tips

Attend the 2010 Jockey Camp

Here’s the quick rundown on Jockey Camp details

When: July 30-August 1
Where: 819 Dublin Road, Norwalk, Ohio 44857
Cost: $400 for participants, $200 for observers
Contact: equicizer@aol.com

There are still a few spaces left, so contact Frankie right now if you are interested!

Here’s the quick low-down on the 2010 Preakness Stakes, and what familiar Derby faces you can expect to see there.

The second competition and the shortest of the Triple Crown will be held Saturday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, so it’s time to start planning for your Preakness Stakes betting, horse race parties, or at the very least two minutes in front of the TV to watch the race.

The Preakness is the second leg of the the Triple Crown, which has been held 74 years with 11 winners. At a distance of a mile and 3/16, it’s the shortest of the three races.

As to be expected, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will be starting in the 2010 Preakness. Super Saver gave owner Todd Pletcher his first Derby win after 24 attempts, and will be aiming to give him his first Preakness win as well.

The field for the Preakness is limited to 14 horses, and it’s looking like all those slots will full come May 15. And it looks likely that the top three Derby finishers – Super Saver, Ice Box, and Paddy O’Prado – will also run in the Preakness.

Ice Box and Paddy O’Prado, ended in the second and third place, respectively, appear as the stronger contenders to compete against Super Saver, who will fight to achieve that second title to get closer to the greatest prize of the thoroughbred racing.

We’re also like to see Derby competitors Noble’s Promise, Lookin At Lucky, Jackson Bend and Conveyance again. Lookin At Lucky was the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, however he was not so lucky getting stuck with the first position, giving him several issues during the race.

The Preakness always attracts horses who weren’t in the Derby, often those who didn’t have high enough earnings to qualify for it’s more famous partner. Pleasant Prince, third in the Derby Trial is also set for the Preakness Stakes with Caracortado, fourth in the Santa Anita Derby; Schoolyard Dreams, fourth in the Wood Memorial and Turf Melody, who finished fourth in the Illinois Derby.

Thanks Frankie!

Q: As the mother of an aspiring jockey, what do I need to know to help my daughter achieve that goal? Second, what skills should my daughter be building on early in her training?

A: Since your daughter is only 11, there is definitely no hurry. Traditionally there’s not a lot of information available to help a young teen understand what a career as a jockey entails. I am personally working hard in changing all that.

I am creating tools such as my “What It Takes To Be A Jockey” DVD and my “Jockey ‘Boot’ Camp” workshops, where I will be hosting an inside look of what becoming a jockey is really all about. With these tools, I also hope to compile a listing of safe connections with horse farms and training centers that perhaps will be willing to take on those inspiring youngsters for summer jobs, work programs a,nd internships across the US. This will not be an easy task but is something I am striving to do.

In listening to stories of how some of jockeys have gotten their start, it’s a wonder they made it through alive! But it’s important to know that no matter what horse experience you have, you have to start from the ground up. You have to work for at least 2-3 years as an exercise rider before becoming a jockey. Skills that she should be developing now, no matter what discipline she rides, include good hands, position, balance, and feel for a horse. All these skills will cross over to riding race horses.

Q: I’ve noticed the stables at the race tracks keep the horses hay hanging outside the stall. I haven’t seen this anywhere else. What is the purpose of storing it this way?

A: With my experience being as a jockey, I may not be the best to answer this, but my guess would be that hanging the hay nets outside their stall doors allows them to enjoy their snacks while being social, happy, involved etc. I think it makes for a happy horse. Racing barns typically do not have windows, only their doors.

My other guess is it would allow a trainer and or groom to monitor their horses’ behavior. You can easily see how much the horse has eaten. I think it also helps by having it out of the stall completely separate, that does not get mixed in the bedding so when a horses hay get’s “pulled” for a certain time before they race or exercise, that they are not scrounging through their bedding looking for crumbs that could hurt their belly etc.

I have asked some expert trainers also and waiting for them to get back to me if there is something more I do not know, great question!

Q: Is there strategy involved? If so, in what way?

A: There is always a plan to how the trainer/owner wants you ride their horse. You can plan a strategy all you want, but everyone in the business knows anything can happen differently once the gates break open. Some of the basic everyday strategies used in horse racing are simply “try and make the lead” or “come from behind”. Still, there may be 5 other jockeys riding with those same instructions. Some strategies can happen as the race is running, like setting the pace and then the lead jockey try and “slow” the pace down, but then another jockey could “press” the pace.

So many factors affect a race, so they don’t always work out the way they were planned. So while there’s plenty of strategizing for how a horse should run the race, it can be like chasing a rainbow.;) My favorite instruction when I was a jockey was simply “good luck!”

Q: How often do trainers run horses who are injured and shouldn’t be racing? What do folks in the horse racing business think about TB rescues and saving former track horses from auction?

A: Well like any business, there are bad eggs. Though from my personal experience and with the people that I worked around in horse racing, we all love horses. I know owners that have bred horses do all they can to get their babies back and give them a great life on the farm. I personally do all I can and I know many in the industry work very hard to support rescues, thoroughbred retirement homes etc. I feel there are many in the racing industry that do so much for the horses, but often the bad apples get most of the attention.

Q: Who is the best race horse you have ridden and why? Also, do you have any insight on how to get a horse to want to  work for you?

A: I have been blessed to have ridden some very nice horses over the years, though not always at the right time. For example, I rode Slew O’ Gold as a two year old, but not as he went on as a 3 and 4 year old and became Horse of the Year.

I also rode a horse for Wayne Lukas named Pancho Villa who might have been the fastest horse in the whole world the day I rode him and defeated that year’s Derby winner Spenda Buck in one the of Derby preps. I really thought I had my Derby horse but he tailed off after that race. Some other horses I was known to ride were Peatmoss, Vandlandingham, Best By Test, Boom Towner, Valid Expectations, Little Sister. There are so many of these horses, so hard to mention them all. You may not have heard of any of these but they meant a lot to me and my career.

My favorite horse was a little horse named Johnny Dance, he was the coolest horse. I won the ’81 West Virginia Derby on him and 3rd in the Rothman’s International which was one of the biggest races in the world at the time. He always gave his best and had a personality that was the coolest! I named my very first Equicizer after him!

As far as your horse “Tie” I am so sorry to say, if he is lacking the “will” there is nothing that will help him win. Horses do change sometimes, that is what I will hope for you!

Q: Can you tell me what muscles are used on daily while riding in races? Also if you’ve had a massage therapist what massage did you prefer over all?

A: For a jockey to be fit enough to ride a race, you would not believe how many muscles are being used. Also the lungs have to be so developed. Even at my fittest, riding a race would still get me so winded with my muscles burning.

In a jockey position, the first muscle you will feel is your thighs, then calves, then your back and abs, and as you drive the horse forward with your arms, your forearms and back are at work and putting more stress on your legs to hold that position in motion. It’s  even a lot of work holding your head up to see. I love to get people on the Equicizer that think it’s easy. It’s kinda funny to see them fold in pain and discomfort in such a short time [note from Jackie: I lasted about three seconds before I sat back down the first time! And Frankie didn't actually laugh at me, but I bet he wanted to!] .

About Frankie Lovato

Frankie’s distinguished career in thoroughbred racing includes rides in over 15,000 races with 1,683 winners. And in total, the horses he’s ridden have earned over $41 million! Crazy, huh? Frankie retired in 2004, and has since focused on marketing his Equicizer (a handcrafted mechanical horse used world-wide for riders to exercise, train and use for therapy), building a therapeutic riding center with his wife, and training young jockeys.

If you know more about any of the horses, please share in the comments and I’ll add it to their bios. And don’t forget to get your thoroughbred racing questions in to be answered by former jockey Frankie Lovato!

Lookin At Lucky

Post Position: 1
Major Wins: Rebel Stakes, CashCall Futurity
Earnings: $1,480,000
Odds: 3-1

By Smart Strike out of Private Feeling, Lookin At Lucky is currently one of the favorites going into the Derby despite a bad post position draw. He’s won 5 out of 8 starts on both synthetic and dirt footing and was last year’s Eclipse award winning 2-year-old. Lookin At Lucky needs a chance to find his pace, and will likely settle towards the front half of the pack.

Lookin At Lucky’s Rebel Stakes Win

Ice Box

Post Position: 2
Major Wins: Florida Derby
Earnings: $457,500
Odds: 10-1

It took Ice Box four starts to gain his first win as a two-year-old, but he comes into the Derby as the long-shot victor of the Florida Derby and with wins in 3 of his last 4 starts. Ice Box does well as a closer, so will benefit from getting a good position with a clear path to the front.

Ice Box Winning The Florida Derby

Noble’s Promise

Post Position: 3
Major Wins: 1st Breeder’s Futurity, 2nd Rebel Stakes, CashCall Futurity
Earnings: $738,000
Odds: 12-1

By Cuvee out of The Devil’s Trick, Noble’s Promise has been running well despite losses in his 3-year-old prep races. He does best sitting just off the pace and making a late run.

Super Saver

Post Position: 4
Major Wins: 1st Kentucky Jockey Club, 2nd Arkansas Derby
Earnings: $363,832
Odds: 15-1

By Maria’s Mon out of Supercharger, Super Saver is a horse who runs in the money no matter the conditions. While he’s only got one win, he’s never finished out of the top 4 in any of his starts and runs well on a fast or sloppy track. We’re likely to see him in the speed group leading the Derby.

Line Of David

Post Position: 5
Major Wins: Arkansas Derby
Earnings: $600,000
Odds: 30-1

Line of David is quick from the gate, which will be important in this field of speed horses, and seems to be peaking at the right time in his career. He’s showed a lot of gameness and determination in his races to date, particularly his Arkansas Derby win. When he can get straight to the lead, he wins.

Arkansas Derby

Stately Victor

Post Position: 6
Major Wins: Blue Grass Stakes
Earnings: $451,112
Odds: 30-1

By Ghostzapper out of Collect the Cash, was the big upset winner of the Blue Grass Stakes. He likes to settle in early and make one big run, which could be at issue with the fast pace and traffic issues.

Blue Grass Stakes

American Lion

Post Position: 7
Major Wins: Illinois Derby, Hollywood Prevue
Earnings: $378,000
Odds: 30-1

By Tiznow out of Storm Tide, American Lion has won 3 of his last 6 races but has never run on dirt. He has a big reputation out west and seems to be on his way up at just the right time. He shows a lot of game when holding his lead as he heads towards the wire.

Illinois Derby

Dean’s Kitten

Post Position: 8
Major Wins: Lanes End Stakes
Earnings: $326,475
Odds: 50-1

From his career debut in April of his 2-year-old season, right up until a Grade 2 score in the Lane’s End, Dean’s Kitten has continually improved, and his best races may still be in front of him. In his last two starts, he has shown improved positional speed, and that’s always a fine quality to own when the gates spring open on a crowded field in the Kentucky Derby.

Lane’s End Stakes

Make Music For Me

Post Position: 9
Major Wins:
Earnings:
Odds: 50-1

By Bernstein out of Miss Cheers, Make Music for Me is multiple Grade 1-placed and finished right behind Eclipse champion Lookin At Lucky three times as a 2-year-old. He’s starting to focus as he matures, but this will be his first start on dirt.

Paddy O’Prado

Post Position: 10
Major Wins: 2nd Blue Grass Stakes
Earnings: $250,950
Odds: 20-1

By El Prado out of Fun House, Paddy O’Prado has the benefit of having started his racing career at Churchhill downs. He’s had some unlucky issues in previous races, but could be peaking at the right time for the Derby.

Devil May Care

Post Position: 11
Major Wins: The Bonnie Miss Stakes
Earnings:
Odds: 10-1

By Malibu Moon out of Kelli’s Ransom, Devil May Care is the lone filly vying for the Roses. She’s run just as fast as the boys in her previous races, and could be a legitimate contender if her jockey can get her to focus. Her three victories have come from stalking positions two to three lengths off the pace.

The Bonnie Miss Stakes

Conveyance

Post Position: 12
Major Wins: The Southwest, San Rafael Stakes
Earnings: $386,000
Odds: 12-1

By Indian Charlie out of Emptythetill, Conveyance is full of natural ability. He won his first four starts, and does well when he can get straight to the lead. And he has 3-time Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert to his advantage.

Jackson Bend

Post Position: 13
Major Wins: 2nd Wood Memorial and Fountain of Youth
Earnings:
Odds: 15-1

By Hear No Evil out of Sexy Stockings, Jackson Bend was the leading 2-year-old in Florida last year and has never placed out of 1st or 2nd in any of his nine starts.

Mission Impazible

Post Position: 14
Major Wins: Louisiana Derby
Earnings: $473,434
Odds: 20-1

By Unbridled Song out of Hold Your Peace, Mission Impazible is one of the few contenders with experience running at Churchill Downs. He’s been consistently improving all year.

2010 Louisiana Derby

Discreetly Mine

Post Position: 15
Major Wins: Risen Star Stakes
Earnings: $340,000
Odds: 30-1

By Mineshaft out of Pretty Discreet, Discreetly Mine is known for being a speedster and for running well at all the tracks on which he’s raced. He needs to break fast; in both his wins he’s led from wire to wire.

Discreetly Mine wins Risen Star

Awesome Act

Post Position: 16
Major Wins: 1st Gotham Stakes, 3rd Wood Memorial
Earnings: $285,000
Odds: 10-1

By Awesome Again out of Houdini’s Honey, Awesome Act overcame traffic issues to win the Gotham, showing that he’s nimble enough to find running room. As a closer, he is set up to do well in the Derby this year which boasts quite a few speed horses who will likely set a fast pace but tire early. The Derby will be his third start off the layoff, many times the best effort of a horse’s form cycle.

2010 Gotham Stakes

Dublin

Post Position: 17
Major Wins: 2nd Southwest
Earnings: $373,208
Odds: 12-1

By Afleet Alex out of Classy Mirage, Dublin He appears to be making the kind of steady progress often associated with a Kentucky Derby winner – a horse who is percolating during the spring and comes to Churchill ready to boil over. He has a G1 win under his belt last fall and rarely finishes out of the money.

Backtalk

Post Position: 18
Major Wins: 3rd Illinois Derby
Earnings:
Odds: 50-1

By Smarty Jones out of Apasionata Sonata, Backtalk won a couple of graded 2-year-old stakes and went on to be favored in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, but finished eighth. He is lightly raced and would seem to have upset potential.

Homeboykris

Post Position: 19
Major Wins: 5th Holy Bull Stakes
Earnings: $250,500
Odds: 50-1

By Roman Ruler out of One Last Salute, Homeboykris trains with Rick Dutrow of Big Brown fame. He has several G1 wins as a 2-year-old under his belt, but hasn’t raced in 9 weeks. He is also a gelding (Funnycide in 2003 was the only gelding in recent years to win the Derby).

Sidney’s Candy

Post Position: 20
Major Wins: Santa Anita Derby, San Felipe, San Vincente
Earnings: $630,000
Odds: 5-1

By Candy Ride out of Fair Exchange, this colt is one who knows how to get it done. he has a versatile running style; has beaten current favorite Lookin at Lucky already this year in one of four straight wins. Sidney’s Candy is owned by THE Jenny Craig, who named him after her husband who passed away in 2008.

2010 Santa Anita Derby

With Thoroughbreds the only breed in the Kentucky Derby and a dominant breed in eventing, I thought this was  the perfect time to talk a bit about one of my new favorite books, Beyond the Homestretch. As a total bookworm and crazy horse girl, I tend to be a harsh critic of horse books. But this one earns four hooves up from me!

Author and founder of LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-racehorses), Lynn Reardon happened to discover Regarding Horses and learned that I’m a bit of a Thoroughbred nut, and thought I might enjoy her book Beyond the Homestretch, which I believe was just released last fall. I think the initial email Lynn sent me describes the book well:

I’ve become a fan of Regarding Horses and of course of Ace’s blog too! Our nonprofit organization, LOPE, helps ex-racehorses find new homes after they are done racing — so I especially have enjoyed reading about Ace’s adventures with you.

I wrote a book — Beyond the Homestretch — about the different ex- racehorses I encountered in my work with LOPE. Although I had little horse training or ranch management experience, the horses here gave me the most effective “on the job” training program ever.

I’d like to send you a complimentary copy of my book — I think you would enjoy the “big” horse personalities I encountered and also would be entertained by my attempts to learn horse training on the fly.

(Please note too that she did not ask me to review the book on Regarding Horses. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have bothered to waste my time writing about it!)

I’ll admit, I was a tad skeptical about the book, because I tend to be skeptical of anything I get for free and because I wasn’t sure about a self-proclaimed inexperienced horseperson training ex-racehorses. But it’s always fun to get packages, and I enthusiastically tore into the box when it arrived. And I fell in love instantly when I saw the cover:

The picture captured my imagination and the soft, matte texture had me hugging the book to my chest as if it was a well-worn copy of my most favorite book in the world.

And I wasn’t disappointed once I opened the cover.

Not surprisingly, I fell in love with all the horses, each of whom get their own chapter in Beyond the Homestretch. But I also became a huge fan of Lynn, a DC accountant who started riding as an adult and quit everything to start a non-profit ex-racehorse placement program in Texas. (and yes, LOPE is a playoff of the well-known thoroughbred organization CANTER, who helped mentor Lynn).

I mean, what horse owner can’t appreciate a book that begins, It was 3 a.m., and I was trying to decide whether to shove pieces of rubber hose up a horse’s nostrils?

In Beyond the Homestretch, we meet a handful of LOPE horses with great personalities and stories who overcome injuries and retirement to find new jobs and forever homes.

There’s Zuper, a flirtatious gelding nicknamed the Sean Connery of horses who helps Lynn run LOPE and integrate new horses into the herd:

There’s Tulsa Mambo of whom Lynn says, “Tulsa Mambo’s personality showed immediately under saddle – he was opinionated about where we should go, exuded a jaunty cheerfulness during trotting, and liked to make faces at the neighbor’s horses over the fence. Tulsa reminded me eerily of Charles, a chatty European polo pro from my exercise rider days, a slim man who liked to smoke, make cynical witticisms, and curse in French while riding his herd of moody polo ponies.”

PJ’s antics made me laugh a lot: “A big, stocky three-year-old with a red coat and blaze face, PJ had the build of a dairy cow. When in doubt, panic and run into things – this was PJ’s philosophy on life. No matter how patient the handler, PJ was always on the edge of a minor freak out. The complete disconnect between PJ’s behavior and his appearance was maddening. You expect lanky, taut-muscled horses with high heads and white-rimmed eyes to act nervous – not round horses that always seem to be in a placid doze.”

And sweet Spider (who incidentally did not get the rubber hose shoved up his in Chapter 1 after all): “Spider quickly established himself as the clown of the farm. He liked to turn over troughs and splash the water out. If he saw you in the pasture, he would run across the field to greet you, gangly legs flying, with a delighted “you-must-be-coming-to-see-me” look on his face. It was impossible to be in a bad mood around Spider’s enthusiasm. Spider had an innate premise that the universe was a benevolent, wonderful place where everyone was there to pet him.”

And then there’s Lynn, who despite her self-deprecating ways, is uncannily horse savvy. She’s the very best type of horse person too; she doesn’t take herself too seriously and she listens to what each individual horse wants and needs. And in her business working with ex-racehorses, those are key traits to have.

Today, Beyond the Homestretch sits on the special bookshelf in my living room that is reserved for only my most favorite books in the whole world.

Support LOPE Horses & Get A Signed Copy of Beyond the Homestretch

Because I loved this book so much, I wanted to be able to share it with you all in a special way … one that not only gives you some added value but supports the horses of LOPE. Lynn has generously offered to provide personalized signed copies of the book with a $20 donation to LOPE. How awesome is that?

Visit the LOPE support page to make your donation via PayPal or check. Then email Lynn at lynn@lopetx.org to let her know that you are a Regarding Horses reader and would like a signed copy of Beyond the Homestretch.

And please come back here and let me know if you do; it’d be great to see how we are banding together for such a great cause!

You can learn more about Beyond the Homestretch and LOPE Texas on their respective sites.

The Kentucky Derby is not only one of the most prominent sporting events known in America, but also throughout the world. And this renowned horse race always seems to spur worldwide fascination with thoroughbred racing, even if it’s just for a short post parade and a mile and a quarter race. For some, this may be the only horse race you may see for the entire year, but there is no doubt you will feel like a true racing fan during the 2 minutes that history is made.

The Kentucky Derby is a big part of the spirit of America, so whether you are holding a mint julep at Churchill Downs or flipping burgers on your patio, millions from coast to coast will likely stop what they are doing when the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds spring from the starting gates. With mud, sweat, muscle and the force of horses and jockeys running at 40 mph to try for that blanket of roses and the first jewel of the Triple Crown to the roar from the crowd, it’s certain to bring a chill down your spine.

Many of us horse enthusiasts, and even just once a year racing fans, have an abundance of questions about the sport, the horses, and the powerful men and women who ride them.

What does it take to be a Kentucky Derby winner? How you do you go about becoming a jockey? What is it like to ride some of the fastest horses in the world?

Fortunately for all of us, I’ve recently had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Frankie Lovato, an Eclipse-award winning jockey who grew up with the sport and rode for 25 years. I’m a big fan of Frankie’s, particularly because he actually seems to enjoy answering me when I bombard him with questions about racing. (He also gave me a fantastic lesson on riding like a jockey on his Equicizer, despite the fact that I tease him by constantly pointing out that I’ve been too tall for it since I was about 10).

Frankie’s distinguished career in thoroughbred racing includes rides in over 15,000 races with 1,683 winners. And in total, the horses he’s ridden have earned over $41 million! Crazy, huh? Frankie retired in 2004, and has since focused on marketing his Equicizer (a handcrafted mechanical horse used world-wide for riders to exercise, train and use for therapy), building a therapeutic riding center with his wife, and training young jockeys.

Frankie has kindly offered to answer our most pressing questions about the life of a jockey and horse racing in general. So, just what about racing have you always wondered but never had the opportunity to ask?

Leave me a note in the comments, email me, or leave a post on the Regarding Horses Facebook page with whatever it is you most want to know!

I’ll put together a list of the 10 or so most burning questions and send them off to Frankie to answer next week as part of our own Kentucky Derby celebration.

And be sure to thank Frankie too, ’cause he totally rocks!

As a  horse enthusiast and marketer, I’ve been increasingly impressed by the Breeder’s Cup organization’s social media presence. Where most organizations (ahem, Alltech WEG!) start up blogs and Twitter accounts and post their information occassionally, the Breeder’s Cup is one of the few who actually interacts with their community. And that makes all the difference!

Thanks to their social media savvy, there are all kinds of ways you can get involved with the Breeder’s Cup, whether you’ll be at Santa Anita or not.

Breeder’s Cup Tweets & Tweeters Cup

Not only does @BreedersCup actually follow people back on Twitter, they reply and carry on conversations … and are hosting a sweet Tweet Up (called the Tweeters Cup) at the races. Check out the info on this:

The Tweeters’ Cup will mark the first time a Tweet-Up will be held onsite during a Championship event. It will have its own exclusive area in Santa Anita’s Seabiscuit Court, which also includes designated frontside seating for ultimate live tweeting of the races. Ticket price includes a betting voucher, buffet, gifts and chances to win prizes like a trip for two to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs.

Highlights of the day include:

• 11:15am – Betting the Breeders’ Cup Handicapping session with Joe Drape (@joedrape) of the New York Times, Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) of the Thoroughbred Times and Tom Quigley (@Quigleys_Corner) of Horseplayer Magazine
• Q&A with prominent jockeys
• Appearances by ESPN personalities and jockeys from Animal Planet’s critically acclaimed reality show “Jockeys”

Tweet-Up will include:

• Betting voucher
• 2009 Breeders’ Cup gift
• Buffet (including non-alcoholic beverages)
• Two will Win a Nikon Coolpix camera – Perfect for a TweetUp
• Best Tweeter on-site will Win a Trip for Two to the 2010 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs including airfare and hotel.

Date: Friday, November 06, 2009
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Tickets: $25 Tweet Up only, $15 If you already have a Breeders’ Cup Ticket

And of course, if you like to put a little money on the ponies but won’t be at Santa Anita for race day, there are all kinds of sports book websites that are doing 2009 Breeders Cup betting.

Listen & Watch Online

From what I’ve read, it looks like you can watch the Breeders Cup live on their official website.

The Horse Racing Radio Network based in Lexington is providing live online audio streaming of the race itself as well as broadcasts leading up to it. You can listen to more than 90 stakes races free of charge on their website.

You can also view races from previous years, Breeders Cup Challenge races, and lots of other coverage on the BC World Championships YouTube channel.

Or, check out their Facebook fan page for new updates, photos, and videos.

Just think of the coverage and participation other equestrian events could get if they took a page out of the Breeder’s Cup social media playbook!