OAKLAWN-RACED HORSES AND HORSEMEN SHINE 2021 ECLIPSE AWARDS
Hot Springs, AR (Friday, February 11, 2022) – The Oaklawn racing program enjoyed it’s best showing ever at the Eclipse Awards in Los Angeles February 10, with Oaklawn-raced horses taking home six of the eight awards for dirt horses, including the top honor of Horse of the Year. In addition, Brad Cox, regularly among Oaklawn’s top five trainers, received his second straight Eclipse Award as Outstanding Trainer and Joel Rosario, riding at Oaklawn full time in 2022, earned his first Eclipse Award as Outstanding Jockey.
The Eclipse Awards are the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, given annually to reflect the most outstanding performances in North American Thoroughbred racing.
“It is an honor to have so many horses and Horsemen from the Oaklawn program recognized with Eclipse Awards,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “It is gratifying to know everything we have done over the last few years has paid off tenfold. From repeatedly increasing purses to establishing a strong stakes schedule to building a world-class facility, our racing program has resulted in attracting the best horses and Horsemen to Hot Springs.”
Oaklawn Racing Secretary Pat Pope was equally pleased. “Our goal every year is to attract the nation’s top owners, trainers, jockeys and Thoroughbreds to Arkansas, so our fans can enjoy the sport at its highest level. That’s what Oaklawn is all about, and it’s really exciting to see such great national recognition through the Eclipse Awards.”
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, 11-time leading trainer at Oaklawn, had two horses earn Eclipse Awards, bringing his career total of champions trained to ten. Undefeated Echo Zulu was named Champion 2-Year-Old Filly and Jackie’s Warrior, who began his 2021 campaign with a third-place finish in Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes (G3), was named Champion Male Sprinter. Overall, Oaklawn was represented by 12 nominees in eight different Eclipse Award categories.
2021 Eclipse Winners who Raced at Oaklawn:
Horse of the Year: Knicks Go (2020 Allowance race winner)
Older Dirt Male: Knicks Go (2020 Allowance race winner)
Older Dirt Female: Letruska (2021 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) winner)
Three-Year-Old Male: Essential Quality (2021 Southwest Stakes (G3) winner)
Male Sprinter: Jackie's Warrior (2021 Southwest Stakes (G3) third)
Female Sprinter: Ce Ce (2020 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) winner)
Trainer of the Year: Brad Cox
Jockey of the Year: Joel Rosario
Oaklawn is currently in the midst of its 2021-2022 race meet that began December 3 and continues through May 8. For more information, visit www.ojc.cjrw.rocks.
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