This year has seen more mediocrity than anyone in the racing industry cares to admit. Like everyone else, I was incredibly excited over Animal Kingdom's win in the derby because I thought we had witnessed the birth of a star. Unfortunately, Animal Kingdom suffered a season ending injury- though he did compete in all three triple crown races.
So, with the racing season basically over, I'd like to give my vote for horse of the year to Animal Kingdom for reasons that are more political than anything else.
He has obscure bloodlines, more toughness than any of the other major participants this year- though not by much; and he is still going to compete next year. So, to anyone out there who has a real eclipse award vote, you might as well vote for a horse that symbolizes all that is right with horse racing rather than the cliché pick: Havre de Grace.
If you are dead set against Animal Kingdom then go for My Miss Aurelia, but please don't encourage the comedic inconsistency that has plagued horse racing by voting for any of the horses that competed in the BC Classic.
My Miss Aurelia ran four times this year and managed to make going undefeated look easy. She is also a legitimate Derby contender, though her connections seem reluctant. Either way, it's time for us to put our foot down and say that losing more than two races, ducking your biggest foes and racing in only one state will simply not be tolerated anymore.
We will never get back to the days of Sunday Silence and Easy Goer if we act like we're fine with living in the era of Havre de Grace and Drosselmeyer.
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