Wise Dan Wins Eclipse Horse of the Year Again

Wise Dan, photo via Santa Anita's Twitter

Wise Dan, photo via Santa Anita’s Twitter

Thoroughbred Champion Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry – Lisa Danielle, by Wolf Power (SAF)) took home three big titles, including repeat Horse of the Year, at the Eclipse Awards last night.  The 2007 chestnut gelding owned and bred by Morton Fink defeated Mucho Macho Man and Game On Dude for Older Male, and Point of Entry and Magician for Turf Male.  The voting for HOTY wasn’t even close… Dan earned 208 votes, compared to just 21 for Mucho Macho Man, and 15 for Will Take Charge.  Wise Dan finished 2013 with four GI wins, with his only loss of the year coming in the Shadwell at Keeneland– moved off the turf due to weather, on very sloppy Polytrack where he finished a game second.

Wise Dan has been enjoying a little vacation at trainer Charlie LoPresti’s Forest Lane Farm, but he’ll soon start legging up again in preparation for a start at Keeneland this spring.  And we may not have seen Wise Dan at his best, yet.

From The Bloodhorse:

“The more you’re around him, the more you realize how special he is,” LoPresti said. “Even in the Shadwell, he tried his heart out on a track that was like running in the Florida Everglades. Even in defeat, he showed up. They just don’t come around that often, horses like him–the soundness of him, the ability. It’s just a dream come true to have horse like that.”

According to Fink, fans could finally get what they’ve been hoping for—a return to dirt by the six-time champion.

“I’m hoping that I can convince Charlie—if the horse stays like he is—this year, to run on the dirt going long,” the owner said.

 

Other notable Eclipse Award winners:

3-Year-Old Male – Will Take Charge

3-Year-Old Filly – Beholder

Female Sprinter – Groupie Doll

Older Female – Royal Delta

Jockey – Javier Castellano

Trainer – Todd Pletcher

Owner – Ken & Sarah Ramsey

Breeder – Ken & Sarah Ramsey

[See full list of winners and voting results at the Louisville Courier-Journal]

 

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