Half-Dozen Up for Vox Populi Award

Vox Populi Award

Online voting is now open to determine the eighth annual winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Created by Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery, the Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People,” Award recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year.

Fans can vote in the online poll, which can be found at Secretariat.com, for one of six nominees selected by the Vox Populi Committee this year. Voters also have the option to write in a racehorse of their choice. The poll is open through Dec. 12, and a public presentation to the 2017 Vox Populi winner is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2018, at Santa Anita Park.

This year's nominees are:

  • Arrogate (Unbridled's Song), the talented and enigmatic 4-year-old colt, who in 2017 became the top all-time North American earner after impressive wins in the inaugural GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and G1 Dubai World Cup;
  • Ben's Cat, the late, four-time Maryland Horse of the Year who amassed the devotion of a legion of fans in an eight-year racing career that concluded in 2017;
  • Gun Runner, the commanding 4-year-old colt whose outstanding achievements this year include $6.9 million in earnings and four consecutive Grade I victories culminating with the Breeders' Cup Classic;
  • Lady Eli, the sensational 5-year-old racemare who overcame laminitis to win three of her five 2017 starts finishing out a stellar career;
  • Patch, the one-eyed, 3-year-old Triple Crown contender who ran third in the GI Belmont S. and garnered international fanfare for prevailing over obvious challenges to compete at the sport's highest level;
  • Songbird, the 4-year-old multiple graded stakes-winning filly who retired in August and recently sold for a whopping $9.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“All the nominees in this wide open field have endeared themselves to racing fans–my mother included,” said Kate Tweedy, Chenery's daughter. “She followed each of these horses with great interest and admiration. We will be awarding the Vox Populi for the first time without her, and I am sure she would have had her own opinion as to who the winner should be and encouraged all racing fans to vote and let their voice be heard. The award is a testament to her legacy and epitomizes her love for the sport. Our family looks forward to continuing that tradition.”

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.