Paynter wins 2012 Secretariat Vox Populi

Paynter, the inspiring Haskell Stakes winner whose impressive 2012 season was

marked with on-track thrills and courageous health battles, has been selected to

receive the 2012 Secretariat Vox Populi, or "Voice of the People," Award. The

award recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded

with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing.

Paynter was a late entry in the selection process when racing fans

passionately noted his absence from the original list of nominees. In response,

Mrs. Penny Chenery, who established the award in 2010, and the Vox Populi

Committee made the decision to add Paynter as a contender. As thousands voted in

the online poll, Paynter emerged as the consensus choice among the three

determining bodies -- online voters, the committee and Mrs. Chenery --edging out

Frankel and I'll Have Another.

Paynter exploded onto the racing scene early this year when his maiden

performance prompted owner Zayat Stables and trainer Bob Baffert to send the

stunning colt on the Kentucky Derby trail. His thrilling near-miss second in the

Belmont Stakes and brilliant performance in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes further

impressed fans and racing analysts, but it has been his tenacious battles with

health issues, including laminitis, and Zayat Stables' continued updates of his

progress through social media that captured the attention of the racing

community and fans all over the world.