2021 Eclipse Award Ballot & Discussion

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

A "complete, high quality campaign" where he mostly lost. Let's be honest, you are showing favoritism towards Michael McCarthy. I have the greatest respect for him as well, but it's hard to place him third for top trainer, and you should own it.

That's a curious critique from the voice that rightly advises players to not be overly results-oriented. I frequently use the 3rd place slot to show appreciation for candidates that won't have the numbers of perennial finalists Brown, Asmussen, Cox, Pletcher & Baffert. McCarthy became apparent to me as worth a nod when I realized he'd landed Ce Ce and Smooth Like Strait on my ballot. I own it happily. And isn't the whole exercise about merit-based favoritism?