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2010 TURF AWARDS

JANUARY 2, 2011

by Kellie Reilly

Although it hasn't yet reached the iconic status of "Auld Lang Syne," the time has come once again for the fourth annual Reilly Turf Awards -- a retrospective look at the highlights and lowlights of the past season, ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, and points in between.

I'll continue to observe my time-tested format, wherein each category has three winners, representing the Turf division (T), Filly & Mare Turf division (F/M T) and the International realm (I), respectively.

As the Empress/Kaiserin/Tsarina of these awards, I have decreed that a horse may be honored in only one category. My resolve in this regard was tested, and the autocrat in me wanted to grant a waiver for one of my court favorites, but I ultimately chose to abide by my established precedent.

And so, the envelopes please...

Most Unfortunate Disqualification:

I -- BUENA VISTA (Special Week) was stripped of a commanding win in the November 28 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), for committing the apparently unpardonable offense of drifting in on Rose Kingdom (King Kamehameha) in the very act of blowing past him. According to the super-strict Japanese rulebook, that counts as "interference" that must be punished, never mind that Rose Kingdom wouldn't have actually beaten Buena Vista on merit. Indeed, Buena Vista was gone in a flash -- in a hail of withering fire worthy of "Old Rough and Ready" himself, Gen. Zachary Taylor, at the Battle of Buena Vista -- careering right away by the time Rose Kingdom belatedly flinched at the dismissive swish of her tail. (Dis)honorable mention goes to the disqualification of JACQUELINE QUEST (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) from her desperate, skin-of-her-teeth decision over Special Duty in the May 2 One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1). The verdict was warranted, but it was nonetheless a crushing one for a filly that you just knew would never come this close to any high-profile success again. To make matters harder to bear, she's named for the late wife of an especially sympathetic owner in Noel Martin, who was rendered a quadriplegic after being victimized by neo-Nazis. Special Duty must rate as the luckiest dual classic winner in memory, for she was then awarded the May 16 French One Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1) by the Longchamp stewards.

T -- TAKE THE POINTS was taken down from his victory in the February 6 Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1) for coming over on Yate's Black Cat (Black Minnaloushe) in midstretch -- despite the fact that Yate's Black Cat wasn't going well enough to maintain his position between horses anyway for Kent Desormeaux, who was advertising his trouble right before his mount clipped heels. Take the Points, the best horse on the day, was nevertheless demoted in favor of official winner Court Vision (Gulch) and placed fifth behind Yate's Black Cat. Worse still, Le Grand Cru (Dynaformer), who had himself drifted out and bumped Yate's Black Cat in the fracas, was actually promoted to third!

F/M T -- NEVER RETREAT (Smart Strike) caused her own disqualification in the January 2 Furl Sail H. at Fair Grounds. Clearly full of run while trapped behind a wall of horses, she took her name seriously enough to keep advancing, and muscled her way among rivals to challenge Category Seven (Gulf Storm). Once Never Retreat rolled to the front, she floated Category Seven out to the center of the course and bumped her while prevailing by a neck. The stewards understandably had to disqualify Never Retreat, but it was still a disappointing result after she had overcome so much to be in a position to win.

Race with the Most Mayhem that Didn't Involve a Tragedy:

I -- A recent study determined that Paris suffers from Europe's worst traffic jams -- a finding that several contestants in the October 3 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) would no doubt endorse. This year's renewal might as well have been a roller derby, with separate incidents caused by a weakening MIDAS TOUCH (Galileo [Ire]), a jinking DUNCAN (Dalakhani) and a doubly wayward PLANTEUR (Danehill Dancer), the latter being disqualified for his infraction. 

T -- TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) twirled right out of Joel Rosario's control entering the backstretch in the September 5 Del Mar Derby (G2), and his centrifugal force slammed into innocent bystander Summer Movie (Holy Bull). Rosario quickly rectified the situation, Twirling Candy went on to win handsomely, and survived a stewards' inquiry, or else he'd have been eligible for the previous category.

F/M T -- GOZZIP GIRL (Dynaformer) is implicated in this dubious honor for the second straight year, after stumbling at the start of the June 19 New York S. (G2) and pitching Ramon Dominguez onto the ground in a metaphor for her entire campaign. CHEROKEE QUEEN (Cherokee Run) likewise dumped Elvis Trujillo right out of the gate as the 2-1 favorite in the August 1 Matchmaker S. (G3).

Most Frustrating Trip:

F/M T -- FANTASIA (GB) (Sadler's Wells), although named for a free-form musical piece, had precious little freedom of maneuver in the October 9 First Lady S. (G1) at Keeneland. Forced to steady turning for home, she came out and then back in again, finally scythed her way through the field, and exploded late to grab fourth in a tight finish.

I -- SARAFINA (Refuse to Bend [Ire]) was the most seriously inconvenienced in the Arc, where she was checked so abruptly that she lost her balance, and jockey Gerald Mosse was bolt upright in the saddle. Even though she lost all of her momentum, her positioning, and nearly her legs at the crucial point in the race, the Aga Khan homebred uncorked a ferocious late charge for third.

T -- SEBASTIAN FLYTE (GB) (Observatory) looked trapped in the stretch of the November 28 Hollywood Derby (G1), and at one point had to tap on the brakes, until determinedly forcing his way through amid bumps and jostles. Perhaps he would have been run down by Haimish Hy (Ecton Park) in any event, but a less eventful trip would have helped his cause. By the way, if anyone can suggest appropriate Brideshead Revisited allusions for next year's Turf Diaries, it would be deeply appreciated.

Fanciest Footwork on Cue:

T -- AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro), showing a hitherto unknown burst of speed, remarkably extricated himself from a pocket in the September 11 Bowling Green H. (G2), and turned an apparently hopeless predicament into an improbable success in the last stride. He couldn't duplicate the feat when similarly disadvantaged in the October 16 Canadian International (Can-G1), possibly because he's better at distances of less than 12 furlongs.

F/M T -- CHECK THE LABEL (Stormin Fever) almost seemed to enjoy threading her way through traffic on the inside, shifting gears and altering course among slower rivals, en route to her dominating victories in the May 31 Sands Point S. (G2) and July 17 Virginia Oaks (G3). She was on course to pull the same stunt again in the September 18 Garden City S. (G1), before Ramon Dominguez ultimately decided to take the overland route.

I -- MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) opened up a commanding advantage in the July 31 Nassau S. (Eng-G1), only to squander it through inattention, as if she had suddenly gone sightseeing on Goodwood's Sussex Downs. Just when Stacelita (Monsun) had caught her, and promised to make her pay for her lapse of concentration, Midday realized that it was high noon, lurched into overdrive in the nick of time, and won going away. 

Most Inspired Ride That Made a Difference:

T -- Colm O'Donoghue gave JOSHUA TREE (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) the ideal passage at every stage in the Canadian International, parking in the right spot early, launching his move at the perfect time, and getting everything out of him in a desperate finish. The Ballydoyle rider's acumen was worth much more than the slender margin of victory.

I -- Tiago Pereira helped his regular partner GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (Brz) to pull a front-running upset in the March 27 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), chiefly through his masterful judgment of the pace. After lulling the field to sleep through snail-like fractions on the Tapeta, he relied on his mount's inflexible bravery down the stretch, and "Gloria" stubbornly held on. More recently, Mirco Demuro revealed the clock in his head when making an early move with VICTOIRE PISA (Neo Universe) in the December 26 Arima Kinen (Jpn-G1), and that proved to be decisive when he just lasted from a frantically-closing Buena Vista.

F/M T -- Christophe Soumillon exercised great patience aboard REGGANE (GB) (Red Ransom) in the October 16 E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1), getting her to relax, easing her to the tail of the field, and waiting as long as possible to deploy. The Alain de Royer-Dupre trainee responded by producing arguably her strongest finish to overtake Miss Keller (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) in the final yards and earn her first top-level success.

Most Lethal Surprise:

F/M T -- Under a textbook ride by Edgar Prado, SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly Perfect), at an unconscionable 46-1, doggedly rebuffed defending champion Midday in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) to spring the biggest upset in the history of the race. In truth, the Graham Motion filly deserved more support than that. Unfortunately, I neglected to heed my own advice from past diaries -- in which I'd cast her as the heir apparent to Film Maker, and defended her performance in the October 2 Flower Bowl Invitational (G1) -- and overlooked her myself. Mea culpa.

I -- MAKFI gets the nod for his 33-1 coup in the May 1 Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1). Given his status as a Shadwell cast-off, and his questionable French form ahead of the classic, few could have expected him to upstage the British and Irish contenders. Yet Makfi was no fluke, as his later triumph in the August 15 Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) affirmed. Honorable mentions go to AL SHEMALI (Medicean), a still-incomprehensible winner of the March 27 Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) at 40-1, and A SHIN FORWARD (Forest Wildcat), who didn't have much more going for him at 52-1 in the November 21 Mile Championship (Jpn-G1).

T -- DEBUSSY (Ire) (Diesis [GB]), not even the top contender from his own yard, and shuffled back out of the picture at the top of the stretch, employed uncharacteristic come-from-behind tactics to nab an unsuspecting Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the August 21 Arlington Million (G1). Making the 11-1 surprise even more galling, Gio Ponti had looked as if he had an unprecedented second straight Million trophy safely in the bag. True to his namesake, Debussy caused an uproar with his dissonance. I never much liked the composer Debussy either.

Most Mysterious Fizzle to a Promising Campaign:

I -- Although Aidan O'Brien might have cornered the market in this category, with ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (Montjeu [Ire]), JAN VERMEER (Montjeu [Ire]) and FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]) all ultimately failing to live up to billing, LOPE DE VEGA's fall from grace tops them all. In a frightfully short span of time, the Andre Fabre colt went from a resounding dual classic winner of the May 16 French Two Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1) and June 6 French Derby (Fr-G1), to a baffling also-ran. Lope de Vega was initially supposed to remain in training in 2011, when he could have redeemed his reputation, but he has been retired to stud after all. He will thus remain an enigma. In a vague sense, he has followed the path of the Spanish playwright-poet for whom he is named: an extravagant career that ended in heartbreak and regret.

F/M T -- RED DESIRE (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe) fizzled on two continents on either end of the season. After promising so much with her electric rally in the March 4 Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-G2), she flopped in the Dubai World Cup. The Japanese classic winner again toyed with us when she ran a monster third in the Flower Bowl, but she couldn't deliver in the Filly & Mare Turf and settled for fourth.

T -- SPICE ROUTE (GB) (King's Best), who got 2010 started the right way with a scintillating performance in the July 4 Singspiel S. (Can-G3), didn't run up to that level when fourth in the September 19 Northern Dancer Turf S. (Can-G1). Trainer Roger Attfield ended up skipping the Canadian International with him in the wake of a subpar workout, and Spice Route's season met a roadblock.

Most Tantalizing What-Might-Have Been:

I -- I debated about how to handle SARISKA's shameful refusals to race in both the August 19 Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1) and September 12 Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1), a "non serviam" that prompted her retirement to the paddocks. Strictly speaking, it wasn't a "fizzle," since she just decided of her own volition that she'd had enough, thank you very much. Rather, Sariska's abdication left the racing world in limbo: would she have confirmed her superiority over Midday in those two races? Or, as I would argue, would a peaking Midday have gained her revenge? And what might Sariska have done in the Arc, which was her long-term objective? The strapping filly named after a tiger reserve in India, who once loomed as ominously as Shere Khan, wound up being a paper tiger.

T -- Had PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) opted for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), instead of rolling the dice in the Classic (G1), he just might have clinched a divisional Eclipse Award. While I can understand giving him a chance on a main track he obviously loves, I would have preferred that he try the Classic next year, when it would still be at Churchill, and he'd be an older horse, against a field that probably won't be as historic as the 2010 edition.

F/M T -- Given PURE CLAN's high class, and her affinity for Churchill Downs, the Bob Holthus trainee would have been a leading contender for the Filly & Mare Turf. Maddeningly, persistent foot trouble ended her career, robbing her of a presumably productive 2010 campaign and denying her a Breeders' Cup bid over her home course.

Most Crushing Piece of News:

F/M T -- TUSCAN EVENING's (Ire) death, caused by an acute pulmonary hemorrhage following a workout at Del Mar, came as a horrendous shock. The Jerry Hollendorfer mare was in her absolute prime, having won six straight graded races, and her tactical speed would surely have added even more prizes to her total. At the time of her demise, Tuscan Evening ranked as the joint leader of the division, and she still deserves to be an Eclipse Award finalist for her triumphal march through the first half of the season.

T -- The tragedy of ROUGH SAILING was a gut-wrenching death that came out of the blue, the result of a chance slip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). From the exciting high of having a promising colt with his entire career in front of him, to the catastrophic low of seeing it all vanish in the blink of an eye, his connections suffered a grievous loss. 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) star KIP DEVILLE lost his long-term battle with laminitis and colic, an outcome that was not totally unexpected, but no less sad. KARELIAN, who was in career form this season with victories in the April 9 Maker's Mark Mile (G1) and February 20 Tampa Bay S. (the latter over Gio Ponti), sadly broke down in a July workout and sustained severe injuries. The venerable campaigner was a model patient at Rood and Riddle, though, and he was discharged from the hospital in late August. Similarly, GLOBAL HUNTER (Arg) went wrong literally seconds after scoring a hard-fought success in the July 4 American H. (G2), but he too has experienced an amazing recovery and will go to stud.

I -- The breakdown of prohibitive favorite AGE OF AQUARIUS in the July 29 Goodwood Cup (Eng-G2) was a devastating blow. This highly-promising young stayer was being groomed as the successor to Yeats (Ire), a role that suited him well, as evidenced by his tremendous runner-up performance in the June 17 Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-G1). The O'Brien charge was dictating the entire way in the Goodwood Cup, and appeared to have matters under control at the head of the stretch, when he sustained his career-ending injury. At least his life was saved, but poor STOTSFOLD (GB) succumbed to a colic attack not long before he was to take another crack at the Arlington Million. LIZARD'S DESIRE, the near-misser in the Dubai World Cup who then turned the tables on Gloria de Campeao in the May 16 Singapore Airlines International Cup (Sin-G1), endured a life-threatening bout of laminitis, which at latest report he is thankfully winning. (Were you perchance expecting a certain someone else in this category? Keep scrolling.)

Most Heartwarming Story:

I -- When Prince Khalid Abdulla named a colt FRANKEL (Galileo [Ire]), after the late Hall of Fame trainer who nurtured so many outstanding Juddmonte horses, one didn't need too much imagination to think that he was held in exceptionally high regard. The equine Frankel is justifying this faith, and the high standards of his namesake, by developing into an all-conquering champion -- an apropos tribute to Bobby Frankel. Moreover, he is conditioned by a legendary, and much-beloved, trainer in Henry Cecil, who has been waging his own battle with cancer for a few years now. If Frankel can fulfill his hopes in the Two Thousand Guineas, there won't be a dry eye at Newmarket, and if he lives up to his abundant promise throughout next season, it will be a story for the ages -- and the movies. Honorable mention goes to the South African brother/sister duo of POCKET POWER and RIVER JETEZ, both by Jet Master: when the legendary Pocket Power couldn't manage to win an inconceivable fourth straight J & B Met (SAf-G1) on January 30, younger sister River Jetez kept it in the family by driving to victory herself.

F/M T -- ECLAIR DE LUNE (Ger) (Marchand de Sable) handed owner Richard Duchossois a poignant victory in the race he always wanted most of all -- the August 21 Beverly D. S. (G1), named in honor of his late wife, and contested at his own palatial Arlington Park. To add even further emotional appeal, Eclair de Lune gave Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally an overdue first win in the Beverly D., after Let's Elope (NZ) was disqualified from her apparent victory in the 1993 running.

T -- Kentucky's own BRASS HAT (Prized), still going strong at the ripe old age of nine, scored a popular win in the October 21 Sycamore S. (G3) before a hometown crowd at Keeneland. The Buff Bradley charge's longevity is at least partly attributable to his periodic R&R at Fred Bradley's farm, which keeps this Brass from losing his luster.

Comeback Player of the Year:

I -- Unbeaten Australian mare BLACK CAVIAR (Bel Esprit) has roared back from various physical ailments to rank better than beluga -- as the world's top sprinter. Based with Peter Moody at Caulfield, the dark bay was sidelined by a torn chest muscle after scoring in the Danehill S. (Aus-G2) on September 5, 2009. Returning to action with a convincing win in the January 22 Australia S. (Aus-G2), Black Caviar was then hobbled by a suspensory injury that ruled her out of the rest of the Southern Hemisphere season. Hence, when she lined up in the October 9 Schillaci S. (Aus-G2), she was racing for only the second time in more than a year. Yet Black Caviar was a machine off the bench, blasting the about five furlongs in :56.68, within flirting distance of the Caulfield course record, while geared down. No "bounce" theory at work Down Under, for Black Caviar wheeled right back two weeks later in the October 23 Schweppes S. (Aus-G2) and posted a 5 1/2-length demolition job. Coming back another two weeks hence in the November 6 Patinack Farm Classic (Aus-G1), Black Caviar turned an expected battle with Hay List (Statue of Liberty) into a four-length rout while blasting the about six furlongs in near course-record 1:07.96 at Flemington. Hay List was a dispirited sixth. Rival trainer Lee Freedman saluted Black Caviar as "the best I have seen" -- including legendary sprint champ Vain, to whom Black Caviar is inbred 3 x 4. Moody plans to keep her in Australia, where she will seek number nine in the February 19 Lightning S. (Aus-G1).

T -- TWILIGHT METEOR (Smart Strike), last seen landing the Canadian Turf S. (G3) on February 28, 2009, retired to stud a year ago but failed to attract much interest. Sent back to the track, he rounded into form rapidly for new trainer Marty Wolfson, and wired the December 4 Tropical Turf H. (G3) in only his second start off the nearly 20-month holiday. WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), who entered stud in 2010 and served a book of mares at Tommy Town in California, returned to the racing wars for new trainer Gary Contessa over the summer. Although he hasn't matched Twilight Meteor's feat by winning a graded event, Whatsthescript has won or placed in half of his six starts, including a victory in the September 19 Keep the Promise S. and a fine second in the October 17 Knickerbocker S. (G3). The gelding BOLD HAWK (Silver Hawk) was away much longer than either of the stallions -- out of action for almost three years since his third-place finish in the 2007 Hollywood Derby (G1). Nursed back by horseman James Toner, the six-year-old made his comeback with a solid fourth in a Keeneland allowance, and was a close third in the November 6 Red Smith H. (G2) in his only subsequent start. Finishing fourth in the Red Smith was none other than Whatsthescript.

F/M T -- GYPSY'S WARNING (SAf) (Mogok), who suffered ligament damage in a mishap after her arrival in the United States, made light of a nearly year-long absence when getting up in time in the May 31 Eatontown S. (G3) at Monmouth. The multiple South African Group 1 star still wasn't done. Following commendable thirds in the Beverly D. and October 2 Yellow Ribbon S. (G1), the Graham Motion mare capped it all off with a triumph in the November 26 Matriarch S. (G1).

Most Dramatic Improver:

I -- DANGEROUS MIDGE (Lion Heart) went from high-grade handicapper, to trouncing his foes in the September 17 Arc Trial (Eng-G3) in his stakes debut, to the international stage, and a victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf in his Grade/Group 1 bow -- all in the span of four months for Brian Meehan.

T -- After Dangerous Midge, you knew this had to be CHAMP PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus), the Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up. The Richard Mandella pupil didn't even race until December 2009, but after breaking his maiden at fourth asking in April, he climbed the class ladder with alacrity. Entry-level optional claimer? Check. Graded company? Check. After a runner-up effort in the July 18 Sunset H. (G3), the four-year-old showed plenty of athleticism en route to his score in the August 29 Del Mar H. (G2), and rattled home to garner the October 3 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1), stamping his Breeders' Cup ticket.

F/M T -- Although this award has previously gone to an older distaffer in the "late bloomer" category, the three-year-old HARMONIOUS (Dynaformer) rocketed up the charts so fast that she deserves the honor. Commencing her career only in April, the John Shirreffs trainee made giant strides once switched to the turf. The massive filly -- what is it with these Amazons from the Shirreffs barn? -- was still a work in progress when winning her third in a row in the July 3 American Oaks (G1), and cost herself when making a beeline for the outside fence in the August 21 Del Mar Oaks (G1). Harmonious was much more professional next time in the October 16 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), spreadeagling a strong field by 4 1/4 lengths. I'm not penalizing her for her career-worst effort in the Filly & Mare Turf, where she was in the hunt until getting a hefty bump.

Best Campaign without a Grade/Group 1 Score:

I -- Singapore sensation ROCKET MAN (Viscount) is 12-for-16 lifetime, with local Group 1s to his credit, but his four losses have all come by achingly narrow margins in international Group 1 events. Denied by a neck by Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago) in the 2009 KrisFlyer International Sprint (Sin-G1) at his home course of Kranji, Rocket Man was again upstaged by a Hong Kong invader in the May 16 renewal, when Green Birdie (Catbird) prevailed by a neck. Earlier this campaign, Kinsale King (Yankee Victor) took advantage of Rocket Man's problematic trip to inflict a half-length defeat upon him in the March 27 Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). The year ended on another frustrating note, as J J the Jet Plane (Jet Master) wore down Rocket Man by a short head at the wire of the December 12 Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1). Trainer Patrick Shaw must be wondering what his charge has to do to win an international top-grade event.

T -- Before Champ Pegasus' unlikely ascent, BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) had impressed in an otherwise weak turf marathon division in Southern California. The Neil Drysdale trainee flashed a lethal turn of foot to sweep the February 21 San Luis Obispo H. (G2), March 20 San Luis Rey H. (G2) and April 18 San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2), becoming the first since 1993 Horse of the Year Kotashaan (Fr) to turn the triple. Bourbon Bay would have been the leading player in the June 5 Charles Whittingham H. (G1), but he was due for a break, and later did well to finish third in the Clement L. Hirsch off the 5 1/2-month layoff. The resuscitated Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) would have been the spot for this true stayer to get a Grade 1, but an illness forced Bourbon Bay to skip the November 13 contest.

F/M T -- No less a judge than Attfield had rated LADY SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]) as a Grade 1-caliber filly, and the lanky chestnut was well on her way to top-level laurels after dominating performances in the April 22 Bewitch S. (G3) and the New York. Before she could emulate her older brother Shakespeare, or their dam Lady Shirl, a condylar fracture put paid to her season. As the best of a deep Attfield barn, which kept firing for the duration of 2010, Lady Shakespeare would surely have worn a Grade 1 crown by now. Will her tale end up being a tragedy, or a comedy, wherein all's well that ends well?

Most Impressive Front-Running Tour de Force:

T -- SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) was spectacular in his turf debut in the August 15 La Jolla H. (G2), chewing up and spitting out pace rival Macias (Purge) through brutal fractions and breaking the race wide open on the far turn. The John Sadler colt got into goosebump territory as he kept up the punishing tempo and increased his eye-popping margin to 13 lengths in the stretch. While Sidney's Candy was "merely" 5 1/2 lengths clear at the wire, it was academic, for he had just set a new Del Mar course record of 1:39 2/5 for 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

I -- CAPE BLANCO (Galileo [Ire]) grabbed the September 4 Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1) by the proverbial scruff of the neck, ran his high-class rivals off their collective feet, and thrashed them by 5 1/2 commanding lengths. Somewhat surprisingly, the hero of the June 27 Irish Derby (Ire-G1) and May 13 Dante S. (Eng-G2) was allowed to go off at a healthy 6-1.

F/M T -- Chilean champion CASABLANCA SMILE (Chi) (Ocean Terrace), who had been knocking on the proverbial door in her three prior U.S. starts over the summer, came to hand with a power-packed, seven-length tour de force in the October 24 Dowager S. at Keeneland. The Shug McGaughey mare got away with ludicrously slow fractions before quickening in the manner of a serious performer.

Best Arrival in the Nick of Time:

I -- Once jockey Richard Hughes convinced CANFORD CLIFFS (Tagula) to relax early, the Richard Hannon colt displayed sparkling acceleration to capture the May 22 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) and June 15 St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1). His finest hour, however, came next time out in the July 28 Sussex S. (Eng-G1), where Canford Cliffs simply snatched Rip Van Winkle (Ire) in full flight. Hughes took the opportunity to play up his mount's superiority, taking him in hand late to make the neck decision look all the cozier.

T -- WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) won this award twice over, by virtue of his barnstorming late runs to gun down stablemate Gio Ponti in the June 5 Manhattan H. (G1) and Paddy O'Prado in the October 2 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1). The Christophe Clement veteran doesn't always summon such impressive bursts, but when he does, he's a beauty to watch. Honorable mentions go to VICTOR'S CRY (Street Cry [Ire]), who nailed Karelian in time in the May 31 Shoemaker Mile (G1), and PRINCE WILL I AM (Victory Gallop), who came from the clouds to take the October 9 Jamaica H. (G1).

F/M T -- PROVISO (GB) also doubled-up in this category, with smashing late kicks to garner the March 6 Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) over males as well as the First Lady. The Bill Mott mare was no one-dimensional closer, but had the versatility to stalk and pounce earlier in the June 5 Just a Game S. (G1) and July 31 Diana S. (G1), the middle legs of her Grade 1 grand slam.

Most Heroic Performance in Defeat:

I -- SO YOU THINK (High Chaparral [Ire]) was already known as a rare talent when opening the Australian season with five straight victories in top company – the August 28 Memsie S. (Aus-G2), September 18 Underwood S. (Aus-G1), October 9 Yalumba S. (Aus-G1), a brilliant title defense in the October 23 Cox Plate (Aus-G1), and an easy win in the October 30 Mackinnon S. (Aus-G1) – but it was his loss three days (that's no typo) later in the November 2 Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) that may have revealed the depth of his ability. For the Bart Cummings trainee never settled at any point in the two-mile handicap, and jockey Steve Arnold was virtually pleading with the headstrong colt to switch off and bide his time. But So You Think was eager to get on with it as Arnold tried to restrain him just off the pace. Despite frittering away so much energy, So You Think was still cruising into the homestretch, and at one point, appeared as though he might just defy all reason and win on pure class. Then the facts of physiology caught up with him, and he had no answer when Americain (Dynaformer) swept past to score an historic first for France. So You Think also lost the runner-up spot to a much lighter-weighted horse in the final yards, but in view of his aggressive style, he ought to have been exhausted and beaten pointless. Since his sale to the Coolmore operation and transfer to Ballydoyle, we can only hope that he's able to retain that level of form in his upcoming European campaign. Honorable mentions go to NAKAYAMA FESTA (Stay Gold), who endured a troubled trip but still made Workforce (GB) (King's Best) work a bit in the Arc, and PACO BOY (Ire), for trying so hard, and coming so close, against Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) in the June 15 Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1).

T -- THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) was set a stiff task in the September 19 Woodbine Mile (Can-G1), yet still almost pulled it off. After racing within shouting distance of a fierce tempo, the Jim Cassidy charge was hung out wide turning for home, made the lead perhaps too soon on the lengthy Woodbine stretch, and was caught by a more patiently ridden Court Vision. If their trips were reversed, Q. T. would likely have won.

F/M T -- CHANGING SKIES (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) did everything right but win in the Flower Bowl, first putting away Shared Account at the top of the stretch and then subduing Red Desire after a protracted duel, only to get mugged on the line by Ave (GB) (Danehill Dancer). Changing Skies was probably softened up after making such a sustained move on the bottomless Belmont turf. ANTARES WORLD (Decarchy) also deserves recognition for her exceptional runner-up effort in the American Oaks, where she chased a taxing pace, battled heads apart at the six-furlong mark, struck the front more than a quarter-mile out, and only yielded late to Harmonious.

Bravest Performance in Victory:

I -- When Chilean Horse of the Year BELLE WATLING (Chi) (Dushyantor) was traveling smoothly on the bridle in the stretch of the September 17 Gran Premio Latinoamericano (Chi-G1), the star filly looked set to pull away to her ninth consecutive conquest. Yet it turned out that she was in for a fight. How many times have we seen a horse apparently on cruise control get confronted, then crumble under pressure? Not Belle Watling, who is no madam like Sariska, and refused to think her chances had gone with the wind. To the roar of the 60,000-strong hometown crowd at Club Hipico in Santiago, the Chilean phenom stood her ground between rivals, put her head in front, and kept it there despite the unrelenting challenge from Brazilian champion Sal Grosso (Our Emblem) on her outside. Another head back on the inside came Shackleton (Monthir) in third. Then Belle Watling had to survive a claim of foul from the rider of Sal Grosso, but the original order of finish was confirmed, and she became only the second distaffer to win this prestigious event. Recently purchased by Carl Lizza and Michael Imperio, Belle Watling has joined Patrick Biancone and will aim for the Dubai World Cup, where she promises to be play much more than a minor role.

F/M T -- To say that WASTED TEARS (Najran) has a winning attitude would be an understatement. Riding a six-race winning streak into the August 15 John C. Mabee S. (G2), the Bart Evans product wanted a "magnificent seven" so badly that it was nearly tangible. Wasted Tears' incredible resolve helped her to stave off the rally of Lilly Fa Pootz (Gilded Time) by a whisker, with a look of absolute commitment, and total dedication, engraved on her face. Making her performance even more laudable, the habitual front runner had never gone as far as 1 1/8 miles before, or since, and she lasted the extra half-furlong on pure heart.

T -- GET SERIOUS (City Zip) defends his home turf at Monmouth with the ferocity of a lion, and his iron will was evident when capturing the August 1 Oceanport S. (G3) and September 5 Red Bank S. (G3) -- each for the second straight year. While he showed typical mettle in coming again to thwart Violon Sacre (Stravinsky) in the Oceanport, he clinched this award by overcoming rampant adversity in the Red Bank. Bumped, squeezed back and royally troubled at the start, which might have ended the hopes of most front runners, Get Serious went to Plan B. It might have been my imagination, but I didn't think his action was quite the same, and when he was under the whip in second on the far turn, things looked dicey. But Get Serious somehow made a move, rambled to the front, and then was all out to hold off the late thrust of Nownownow (Whywhywhy). Oh, and he broke his own course record by blitzing the mile in 1:32.37.

Most Admirable Virtue Consistently Displayed:

I -- SNOW FAIRY (Intikhab), who was beaten in a nursery as a juvenile and harbored no classic dreams over the winter, became the surprise package of the European season and ended her campaign as the "Queen of the Orient." The Ed Dunlop filly literally never ran a bad race while racking up a 7-5-1-0 mark in 2010, with all but her sophomore debut coming in Group 1 company. Snow Fairy signaled that she was on the upgrade when recovering from a bad stumble at the start to take the May 19 Height of Fashion S. going away, earning her a supplemental entry to the June 4 Oaks (Eng-G1). There she unleashed a wicked turn of foot, dodging traffic along the way and defying her miler-oriented pedigree, to score smartly. Still, few at the time would have hailed her as the next Ouija Board (GB), myself least of all. But Snow Fairy just kept progressing. After romping in the July 18 Irish Oaks (Ire-G1), she finished second to Midday in the Yorkshire Oaks and a better-than-appears fourth versus males in the September 11 St Leger (Eng-G1) going more than 1 3/4 miles. Snow Fairy's final two starts came in the Far East, where she routed the November 14 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (Jpn-G1) by four lengths, and flashed home late in the December 12 Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1) to reel in world-class males, surprising even jockey Ryan Moore with her barnstorming run from the rear.

T -- I thought about creating a new category for "Cheekiest Victory" to honor GIO PONTI's walk in the park in the October 9 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), but kept returning to the idea that the dual champion really belongs here. Though bedeviled by circumstances more often than not in 2010, the Clement charge continued to perform at an outstanding level, and not a single loss can be attributed to his just not firing. From missing by a nose at Tampa despite being herded across the course by Karelian, to closing off an impossibly slow pace for fourth in the Dubai World Cup, to being a troubled second in the Manhattan (prior to which he'd missed a work), to making what ordinarily would have been a winning move at Arlington, to going down to an all-time great in Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile, Gio Ponti ran his race every time. And in the middle of it all, he defended his title in the July 10 Man o' War S. (G1). Thanks to the team at Castleton Lyons, we'll get to see Gio Ponti for another year, which he ought to enter as a three-time Eclipse Award winner.

F/M T -- EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) is not only a triple-surface threat; she is also exceptionally honest and consistent. Although she may end up being better remembered for her near-miss to Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision) in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on dirt, and her victory in the Ashland S. (G1) on Polytrack, the record will show that the Cassidy filly went three-for-four on the turf in 2010. Evening Jewel wired the May 31 Honeymoon H. (G2) in her debut on the grass, burst from off the pace to capture the July 25 San Clemente H. (G2) in grand style, and tap-danced her way through traffic to prevail over the drifting Harmonious in the Del Mar Oaks. She couldn't hold a candle to Harmonious in the QEII, but plugged on for a game third.

Most Breathtaking, Instantaneous Acceleration:

F/M T -- I've pitched GOLDIKOVA in the Filly & Mare division because she's on course for her second straight Eclipse Award as champion turf female, and to make room for another winner in the International group. The Wertheimer & Frere homebred was better than ever at the age of five, possibly on account of enjoying her winter break on the stud farm instead of at Freddie Head's yard. Whatever the reason, Goldikova was a sublime five-for-six in 2010, exclusively at the Group 1 level, her only reverse coming at the hands of Makfi on unsuitably soft ground in the Marois. As dynamic as she was when setting a course record for about nine furlongs in the May 23 Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1), or rolling to an insurmountable lead in the Queen Anne, or romping in the August 1 Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1) in the one time she was restricted to female company, or coming again to land the October 3 Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1), Goldikova might have saved her glittering best for last -- her brilliance propelling her to an historic three-peat in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

I -- WORKFORCE was a horse on a mission in the June 5 Derby (Eng-G1) at Epsom: striving to restore his dented reputation after disappointing in the Dante. Once the Ballydoyle pacemaker At First Sight (Galileo [Ire]) opened up a massive lead and threatened to pull a 100-1 upset, though, Workforce's mission was expanded into a species of law enforcement, to round up the hooligan, stop the chaos, and restore order. As if grasping the enormity of the moment, Workforce suddenly became industrious. Pounding the firm turf with ground-devouring strides, he not only erased the deficit, but streaked seven lengths clear in course-record time. Though he later handed Sir Michael Stoute his first Arc trophy for a superb training job, and stays in training in 2011, the Derby will forever be his signature performance.

T -- CHINCHON (Ire) (Marju) appeared to be shot out of a cannon in his last-to-first triumph in the July 3 United Nations S. (G1), whizzing past Take the Points, Winchester and the rest of a talented field as though they were standing still. PLUCK (More Than Ready) created a similar impression in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, where he bobbled at the start, swerved to avoid the fallen rider of Rough Sailing, and catapulted past every rival.

World's Best Turf Performer: HARBINGER was highly regarded by Stoute in 2009, but the master trainer always said that he would be better as a four-year-old. In 2010, Harbinger vindicated that judgment and reach the hoped-for pinnacle of perfection. In his reappearance in the April 17 John Porter S. (Eng-G3) at Newbury, Harbinger traveled beautifully from well off the pace and powered three lengths clear. Next he outkicked a returning Age of Aquarius in the May 7 Ormonde S. (Eng-G3) at Chester. Those were merely tune-ups for the bigger prizes that lay ahead, and fittingly, he took two prodigious leaps forward.

The first marked improvement came in the June 19 Hardwicke S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot, where Harbinger stalked the pace before delivering a mighty coup de grace. Only the gallant effort of Duncan kept the winning margin down to three lengths, but in the meantime, Harbinger had left no doubt of the true measure of his superiority.

Even so, the Hardwicke could not have prepared the racing world for his follow-up act in the July 24 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1), over the same course and 1 1/2-mile distance. Billed as a showdown between the high-flying stablemates Harbinger and Workforce, or "Bing" and "Sefton" as their lads dubbed them, it instead turned into a procession. Harbinger was galloping like a winner in midpack for a long way out, and he treated Cape Blanco like a claimer as he hurtled past in the stretch, with Workforce sputtering behind him. That alone would have been impressive enough, but Harbinger thundered ever further ahead, until he crossed the wire 11 lengths in front in course-record time.

On that evidence, the Arc would have been at his mercy. But Harbinger fractured his left foreleg on the gallops only two weeks after his King George heroics, in a truly crushing turn of events. He now goes off to stud in Japan, as a high-class outcross for their Sunday Silence blood.

Lifetime Achievement Award: The 18-year-old SINGSPIEL (Ire) (In the Wings [GB]) was euthanized on July 2 after suffering from laminitis, having left his mark both on the track and at stud. Bred and campaigned by Sheikh Mohammed, he lived up to lofty expectations as a son of Hall of Famer Glorious Song (Halo).

Singspiel finished first or second in a remarkable 17 of 20 lifetime starts. Yet another Stoute improver, he showed talent at three, but excelled at four and five. After just missing in the 1995 Thresher Classic Trial (Eng-G3), Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1), Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) and Great Voltigeur S. (Eng-G2) and ending the season with a score in the Troy S., he developed into a top globetrotter the following year.

Singspiel was voted the champion turf horse of 1996 without racing in the United States, with his victory in the Canadian International and second in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Woodbine being sufficient to win the Eclipse -- and to get a stakes named after him at Woodbine. His other 1996 highlights were wins in the Japan Cup, Gordon Richards S. (Eng-G3) and Select S. (Eng-G3), along with runner-up efforts in the Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) and Princess of Wales's S. (Eng-G2).

In 1997, Singspiel captured the Dubai World Cup on dirt, romped by five lengths in the Coronation Cup, and added the Juddmonte International (Eng-G1) to his resume in what turned out to be his final start. He suffered a condylar fracture when working in advance of the 1997 Breeders' Cup Turf, and was retired to stud under the Darley banner.

Singspiel has sired such champions as Dar Re Mi (GB), queen of the 2010 Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1); Moon Ballad (Ire), who emulated his sire by winning the 2003 Dubai World Cup, the only father-son tandem to do so; Eastern Anthem, hero of the 2009 Sheema; Lahudood (GB), victress of the 2007 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf; and 2004 Ascot Gold Cup winner Papineau; as well as 2006 French Oaks (Fr-G1) diva Confidential Lady, and current Group/Grade 1 scorer Hibaayeb (GB), who captured the Yellow Ribbon two starts ago.

Daughters of Singspiel have been in the news this season for producing the likes of Debussy, July S. (Eng-G2) and Richmond S. (Eng-G2) winner Libranno (Librettist), Prix de Lieurey (Fr-G3) heroine Via Medici (Medicean) and Firth of Clyde S. (Eng-G3) queen Majestic Dubawi (Dubawi).

Singspiel ought to be a force in pedigrees for some time to come, possibly in combination with his half-brother Rahy, to concentrate the blood of the great Glorious Song. This operatic cycle is nowhere near its conclusion.

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