Curlin, Zenyatta head Eclipse Award finalists

Many consider Curlin one of the contenders for Horse of the Year (Charles Pravata/Horsephotos.com)

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers

Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) announced Thursday the

finalists for the 2008 Eclipse Awards, as voted on and presented by the three

organizations, in recognition of excellence in Thoroughbred racing. The Eclipse

Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire

Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including

eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom

Derbies.

CURLIN

(Smart Strike), voted 2007 Horse of the Year, is in the running for champion

older horse honors this year following victories in the Dubai World Cup

(UAE-G1), Stephen Foster H. (G1) and Woodward S. (G1) as well as a repeat score

in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). The chestnut finished out the season, and his

career, with a fourth-place finish as the defending champion in the Breeders'

Cup Classic (G1).

Zenyatta has been unbeatable so far (Benoit Photo)

Also likely to win Eclipses in their divisions are

MIDSHIPMAN (Unbridled's Song) and

STARDOM BOUND (Tapit). Midshipman, who is currently wintering in Dubai while

preparing for a Triple Crown bid, captured the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and

Del Mar Futurity (G1) last year. Up for champion juvenile honors, the chestnut's

only loss came as a close second in the Norfolk S. (G1). Stardom Bound, also

under consideration for the Kentucky Derby (G1), recorded victories in the

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) and Oak Leaf S.

(G1). The gray lass, who is residing in trainer Bobby Frankel's barn after being

conditioned by Christopher Paasch last year, is up for

champion juvenile filly honors.

Winners in all categories will be announced at the 38th annual Eclipse Awards

ceremony, to be held January 26 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach,

Florida.