Hall of Fame Nominees Selected
It is that time of year again, when voters will be given the task of selecting their favorites to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. Over the years voters have been given a list of selected nominees in four different categories, namely Trainers, Jockeys, Contemporary Male Horse and Contemporary Female Horse. This year, however, voters will have more freedom in regard to their votes, which will nonetheless be a very difficult task when looking at the list of nominees. The original list of nominees was cut down from 76 to ten, and now the decision lies in the hands of the voters.
Voters will be able to vote for their preferred candidates this year, without having to select one winner in each category. They will now be able to choose two jockeys and two horses if they so wish, making the voting process much more interesting and limitless. Most of the nominees have been on the list previously; while one candidate, Azeri, has made the selection of the first time. Of the ten finalists, there are six horses, two trainers and two jockeys listed, each with their own list of achievements that make them eligible and worthy of being enrolled in the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.
In the horses category is Best Pal, Sky Beauty, Azeri, Safely Kept, Point Given and Open Mind. Azeri boasts a 2002 Horse of the Year title, as well as Champion Older Female Awards for the years 2004 and 2002; while Point Given has a number of breathtaking victories and a 2001 Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year Title to be proud of. Best Pal made history by becoming one of four horses to achieve victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Charles H. Strub Stakes and the Santa Anita Handicap in the same year. Eclipse Award winner, Safely Kept, participated in 31 events, winning 24 of them, and Sky Beauty won 15 of her 21 career starts. Last but not least, is Open Mind, who has the Alabama Stakes, Mother Goose Stakes and Kentucky Oaks amongst her twelve victories off nineteen career starts. Alex Solis and Randy Romero represent the jockeys in the nominations, while trainers Robert Wheeler and Gary Jones are the final two nominees. The results of the voting will be announced on 28 May 2010, and the induction ceremony will be take place on 13 August 2010.
