Horse of the Year?

[Stickhorse]

Tuesday will be the last day of thoroughbred racing before the two day shutdown for Christmas. The racing year always seems to start with the opening of Santa Anita the day after Christmas. The selection of 2008's Horse of the Year should be an interesting one.

There are lots of deserving candidates. IMO Curlin and Zenyatta are the two front runners but I can see several other horses that will receive some votes. Big Brown, Pepper's Pride, Commentator, and even Eight Belles all could garner support.

My choice is Zenyatta.

Horse of the Year does not always go to the fastest horse. I believe that Secretariat as a two year old won Horse Of The Year. Seldom does any foreign horse receive consideration and Curlin’s BIG MONEY win came in Asia. Yes he beat more horses in his victories then Zenyatta but that is because the big filly scared away much of her competition. As Jon White pointed out in his weekly column "Zenyatta led all Thoroughbreds with seven North American graded stakes wins in 2008."

And unlike a lot of the other big names of 2008 she'll be back in 2009. That will make for a Happy New Year for this racing fan!