Led by Horse of the Year candidates Authentic, Improbable and Monomoy Girl, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) announced the finalists for the 2020 Eclipse Awards Jan. 16, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced on TVG, and other outlets, during a virtual ceremony of the 50th annual Eclipse Awards, presented by Spendthrift Farm, on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

CHANNEL MAKER, bred in Ontario by Ivan Dalos and a son of English Channel from the Sovereign Award-winning mare In Return, is on the short list for Champion Turf Male. The 2-year-old champion in Canada in 2016 won two Grade 1’s in the US in 2020 and was 3rd on the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The finalists for HORSE OF THE YEAR caused a stir as Preakness Stakes (G1) winner SWISS SKYDIVER (Daredevil), the likely 3-year-old filly champion, was surprisingly not on the list with Authentic, the Kentucky Derby winner who was beaten by Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness, Monomoy Girl and Improbable.

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