2011 Eclipse Awards Finalists

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Isn't it kind of an insult to people who do this for a living to give an award to the winner of a contest?

I don't think so. I look at it as a small recognition to handicappers for what they do to keep the sport going. Honestly, there should be more awards for handicappers/bettors, not less.

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I'm not saying it's an easy thing to win by any means but shouldn't it go to a professional?

I guess I see your point, but what makes you think the people who are participating in the contests aren't professionals?

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I don't think so. I look at it as a small recognition to handicappers for what they do to keep the sport going. Honestly, there should be more awards for handicappers/bettors, not less.



I guess I see your point, but what makes you think the people who are participating in the contests aren't professionals?

My mistake. I assumed that they didn't. Not exactly the first time I've been wrong.

... and yes some small recognition? I absolutely agree and I know it's what keeps it going.

The Eclipse Awards should be special though. They should mean something.

It's the winner of the DRF contest... is that right?

If it is they should have their own awards. They'd be special and mean something in their own right, no?

[Calzone Lord]

Junior Alvarado was probably the best bug rider I've ever seen in my time following racing.

He was hands down the best jockey at Calder while he had the bug -- and rode excellently into Gulfstream despite having very few and weak mounts. The guy was having 5-win days at Calder and stealing races at prices. Didn't even come close against Talamo (I believe) in the voting. Talamo was a glorified sack of oats.

Julien Laparoux had a big priced winner at Saratoga on the turf with the bug (maybe even triple bug) -- but I didn't follow his circuit much when he had it. I think the vast majority of his bug was spent cleaning up at Turfway.

Bejarano absolutely ruled Turfway right before him -- not sure if he still had the bug or not though.

[Kasept]

APPRENTICE JOCKEY ECLIPSE WINNERS

2010 : Omar Moreno
2009 : Christian Santiago Reyes
2008 : Pascacio Lopez
2007 : Joe Talamo
2006 : Julien Leparoux
2005 : Emma-Jayne Wilson
2004 : Brian Hernandez, Jr.
2003 : Eddie Castro
2002 : Ryan Fogelsonger
2001 : Jeremy Rose

2000 : Tyler Baze
1999 : Ariel Smith
1998 : Shaun Bridgmohan
1997 : Roberto Rosado & Philip Teator (tie)
1996 : Neil Poznansky
1995 : Ramon B. Perez
1994 : Dale Beckner
1993 : Juan Umana
1992 : Rosemary Homeister
1991 : Mickey Walls

1990 : Mark Johnston
1989 : Michael J. Luzzi
1988 : Steve Capanas
1987 : Kent Desormeaux
1986 : Allen Stacy
1985 : Art Madrid, Jr.
1984 : Wesley Ward
1983 : Declan Murphy
1982 : Alberto Delgado
1981 : Richard Migliore

1980 : Frank Lovato, Jr.
1979 : Cash Asmussen
1978 : Ron Franklin
1977 : Steve Cauthen
1976 : George Martens
1975 : Jimmy Edwards
1974 : Chris McCarron
1973 : Steve Valdez
1972 : Thomas Wallis
1971 : Gene St. Leon

[Calzone Lord]

I don't remember Rosario with the bug...but he was exceptional not long after losing it.

To be unquestionably the best jock in all of Southern Cal in your third year is remarkable.

Paco Lopez is very good. A lot of those guys going back to 1988 are brutally bad jockeys.

[Alan07]

I guess there are at least two people impressed by Curatolo: Schrupp & Bray. Those two couldn't pick a winner in a ant race.