Moment of the Year - voting now open

[Blue Jeans]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82423/moment-of-the-year-voting-now-open

To vote for the 15th annual "NTRA Moment of the Year," click here.

According to an NTRA release, the eligible moments were selected to "illustrate a wide range of human emotions and achievements as well as outstanding displays of equine athleticism."

Listed chronologically, the 12 events that fans can choose from are:

—Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens riding his first winner in North America since 2005 aboard Branding in the first race at Santa Anita Park. (Occurred Jan. 12)

—Spicer Cub bolts around the parked starting gate along the outside rail and still nearly wins at Pimlico Race Course, losing by a nose. (April 13)

—Orb wins the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. ) for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and owners Stuart Janney III and Dinny Phipps. (May 4)

—Oxbow wins the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), giving Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas his sixth win in the Triple Crown's middle jewel and 50-year-old Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens his third. (May 18)

—Paynter , after battling back from life-threatening illness the year before, returns to the races to win an allowance at Betfair Hollywood Park. (June 14)

—Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze becomes the first North American rider to reach the 12,000-win milestone aboard Handful of Pearls at the Alameda County Fair at Pleasanton. (July 7)

—Ken and Sarah Ramsey win three major grade I turf stakes—the Secretariat (with Admiral Kitten), Sword Dancer (Big Blue Kitten) and Arlington Million (Real Solution)—at two different tracks in less than two hours. (Aug. 17)

—Will Take Charge barely gets up to beat front-running Moreno by a nose in the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course. (Aug. 24)

—Retired jockey Ramon Dominguez is presented with the Mike Venezia Award, as well as the 2012 Eclipse Award trophy for outstanding jockey he was unable to accept last January, during a ceremony in the Saratoga winner's circle. (Aug. 25)

—Five-year-old mare Mizdirection beats males in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) for the second straight year in her final career start. (Nov. 2)

—Wise Dan wins the 2013 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) for the second straight year, capping a season that will likely be recognized with a repeat Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. (Nov. 2)

—Mucho Macho Man wins the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) by a nose for jockey Gary Stevens, trainer Kathy Ritvo, and owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. (Nov. 2)

[BaroqueAgain1]

  For the "wide range of human emotions and achievements," I would go with MMM's Classic win. For "outstanding displays of equine athleticism," I'm going with Spicer Cub. If there were a Most Entertaining category, I think I'd vote Crazy 'Cub for that, as well. 

[The Tin Man]

  For the "wide range of human emotions and achievements," I would go with MMM's Classic win. For "outstanding displays of equine athleticism," I'm going with Spicer Cub. If there were a Most Entertaining category, I think I'd vote Crazy 'Cub for that, as well. 

I didn't see the Spicer Cub race ... any idea where I can find video of it?

[Catalina]

I didn't see the Spicer Cub race ... any idea where I can find video of it?

Here's a partial:  http://thebesthorseracingvideos.com/spicer-cub-unluckiest-horse-racing-loser-ever

[Vic in Chicago]

For me, sadly, the "moment of the year" is yet to happen.  It happens when the last horse crosses the finish line at Hollywood Park.   

Second is the truly fabulous finish of the Breeders' Cup Classic.   

[Zenyatta]

Surprised my moment of the year isn't listed: Stevens winning the Preakness aboard Oxbow for D Wayne Lukas. Two guys who hadn't won a TC race getting another taste of glory late in life.

[Blue Jeans]

Surprised my moment of the year isn't listed: Stevens winning the Preakness aboard Oxbow for D Wayne Lukas. Two guys who hadn't won a TC race getting another taste of glory late in life.

That's #4.  What could be better than the gutsy little Oxbow winning for two old favorites in this sport?  They got my vote!  Oxbow won my heart early in the year .... my favorite of all the three-year olds.  Sadly, now out of sight, out of mind for a lot of folks.  Not this one!

MMM's BCC got my vote for "Top Race of the Year" - by BloodHorse.

[peeptoad]

I voted for Spicer Cub. Never saw a horse do that before, and with the (somewhat) wide open nature of the older male division this year... the BCC win didn't do it for me. Spicer Cub did. 

[Giant Oak]

The true moment of the year for 2013 happened on January 8th!! 

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/grade-1-winner-giant-oak-sires-first-foal/

:chickendance:

Your Friend,

Giant Oak
Multiple G1 Winner And Proud Papa!

[The Tin Man]

Here's a partial:  http://thebesthorseracingvideos.com/spicer-cub-unluckiest-horse-racing-loser-ever

Thanks for sharing! That was very very cool!

Damn near pulled it off ... shame he didn't.   

Reminds me of American Act's win in the Harry Henson last year. Blew the Hell out of the turn, ran about 15 or 20 wide and then nailed 'em at the wire!

Spicer Cub did a double bolt and damn near did it too!

[Dave in TJ Mex]

The true moment of the year for 2013 happened on January 8th!! 

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/grade-1-winner-giant-oak-sires-first-foal/

:chickendance:

Your Friend,

Giant Oak
Multiple G1 Winner And Proud Papa!

You're right!

It should be an unanimous vote!