FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 732-747-8060 $ TDN Home Page Click Here PAYNTER IS THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE CAIN OAKFORD, ESPN, NBC SPORTS WIN Zayat Stables= Paynter (Awesome Again), a late MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARDS addition to the nominees for the Secretariat Vox Populi The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Award, edged out Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and I=ll Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Have Another (Flower Alley) to receive top honors for Broadcasters yesterday announced the winners of the 2012. After finishing a close second in the GI Belmont 2012 Media Eclipse Awards. Glenye Cain Oakford, senior bloodstock S. in June, the J “TDN Rising Star” J captured the correspondent for DRF, won in the Audio/Multi-Media GI Haskell S. in July, but then battled through bouts of Internet category for her piece AZenyatta: Wait for First colitis and laminitis. Foal Combines Science, Art and Anticipation.@ (Click APaynter's popularity stems from his ability to battle here to view). and exceed expectations, making him the perfect AI'm thrilled,@ said Oakford. AIt's tremendously choice as the recipient of energizing and heartening to earn this recognition from this year's Vox Populi one's colleagues, and I will treasure it. Award," said Penny But what makes this most special to Chenery, who established me is that the Eclipse Award is also the the award in 2010. AAfter racehorses' championship. To be placed seeing firsthand the in their company is very humbling and devastating effects of an honor indeed.@ this disease, I am even ESPN=s news magazine show E:60 more convinced that the won the Media Eclipse Award in the industry must continue to Television-Features programming for diligently fight laminitis. ANotinrwildestdreamz,@ the story of a The progress we have filly that recovered from neglect to become a racehorse made to date clearly (click here to view segment). It was produced by benefited Paynter--a Heather Lombardo, and was written and narrated by Bill beautiful colt with a Nack. Ahmed Zayat with Paynter last week tremendous spirit.@ @JustinZayat AIt=s a great honor to win an Eclipse Award,@ said Throughout the 3-year- Lombardo. ATo be recognized on the same night as the old=s hospitalization and rehabilitiation, owner Ahmed elite horses and people who make a historical impact on Zayat and his son Justin continuously tweeted updates Thoroughbred racing is a huge thrill.@ Cont. p3 about his condition, signing off with #PowerUpPaynter. AGo Paynter Go!!!@ Ahmed Zayat tweeted after learning that his colt won the Vox Populi. AThank you, fans!@ Justin Zayat added, AVery thankful for everyone involved with Paynter--vets, grooms, trainers, blacksmiths. Team effort!@ Paynter was recently cleared to return to training, and is expected to rejoin the Bob Baffert string in California Saturday. That afternoon, Chenery will present the custom-made trophy to the colt=s connections. The Vox Populi Award recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing. The inaugural winner was Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}), and Rapid Redux (Pleasantly Perfect) took the award last year. TDN TODAY Headline News..................... 7 pages In This Issue DiDonato Dishes on Top 10 Efforts 60 Broad St., Suite 100 Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 747-8060 (732) 747-8955 (fax) Taking into consideration www.thoroughbreddailynews.com handicapping factors such as www.thetdn.com speed, trip and competition, the Barry Weisbord, co-publisher ’s Brian DiDonato names TDN • his top 10 most impressive U.S. [email protected] @barryweisbord , co-publisher performances of 2012. Only each Sue Finley horse's best race was counted. [email protected] • @suefinley Who do you think made the list? Editorial [email protected] Jessica Martini, Editor-in-Chief Benoit photo Alan Carasso, Managing Editor Marie Kizenko, Senior Editor Coverage begins page 3 Christina Bossinakis, Senior Editor Steve Sherack, Racing Editor Brian DiDonato, Racing Analyst/Soc. Media Dir. Justina Severni, Assistant Editor Heat Street Kelsey Riley, Assistant Editor Advertising [email protected] Alycia Borer, Director of Advertising Lia Kusch, Senior Advertising Designer Sarah K. Andrew, Adv Assistant/Distribution Amanda Crelin, Advertising Assistant Amanda Foster, Advertising Assistant Customer Service [email protected] Vicki Forbes, Director of Customer Service Cigar Street Adam Coglianese photo Information Technology Rashard Lewis, a forward for the Miami Robert Williams, Director of IT [email protected] Heat, was forced to rely on WiFi to watch Gregg Casillo, DB Administrator, Programming the return of J “TDN Rising Star” J [email protected] Cigar Street (Street Sense) in Thursday’s ninth race at Gulfstream Park. The colt’s co- Business Development Gary King, Director of Business Development owner was in Detroit in preparation for a [email protected] match-up with the Pistons tonight. “It's too Rashard Lewis bad he wasn't here today," co-owner Jake TDN Newmarket Bureau: Cafe Racing Issac Baldizon Ballis commented. "But he was in his hotel [email protected] in Detroit watching on his computer. I have Sean Cronin Tom Frary three messages from him now." Coverage begins ATW page 1 TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 12/28/12 • PAGE 3 of 7 • thoroughbreddailynews.com 2012 Media Eclipse Award Winners cont. The Media Eclipse Award for TelevisionBLive Racing Programming went to NBC Sports for its broadcast of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs May 5. AThe Kentucky Derby is one of America=s greatest sporting events,@ said Rob Hyland, coordinating producer of NBC Sports and the producer of the telecast. AIt is a day that uniquely combines atmosphere and competition. From the 20 horses and their connections, to Millionaires Row and the raucous infield, Derby Day has something for everyone and it is our job to cover the many layers of this great event. Every Derby has a number of captivating storylines and this year was no exception. Our production team did an excellent job telling the stories of the 138th Kentucky Derby and we are very proud to win this prestigious award.@ 2012'S TOP 10 PERFORMANCES by Brian DiDonato Taking into consideration handicapping factors such as speed, trip and competition, Brian DiDonato names his top 10 most impressive U.S. performances of 2012. Only each horse=s best race was counted. #10. Beholder - 6f Allowance - Santa Anita Oct. 4 Two-year-old fillies just aren=t supposed to run as fast as Beholder (Henny Hughes) did here in her dirt debut, which proved a springboard She overcame her early exertions--and some very to victory in the GI Breeders= erratic behavior in the stretch--however, to report home Cup Juvenile Fillies and nine lengths clear at the line in what might have been probable Eclipse honors. the most impressive run of the entire Saratoga meet. Coming off a nose defeat at Runner-up In Lingerie, who was eight lengths clear of the hooves of the third-place finisher that day, returned to annex the Executiveprivilege in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. next out. Click for the GI Del Mar Debutante, the brisnet.com chart. Video, sponsored by Taylor Made bay carved out an opening Sales. Beholder Benoit Photo quarter in :21.50 (nine Moss Pace Figure points above #8. Groupie Doll - GI BC F/M Sprint - Santa Anita Nov. 3 par) while traveling well within herself. She=d never Her win in the GI Humana Distaff could also easily have to work harder than that as she lengthened her have made this list, but a tougher field and trip at Santa advantage to 11 lengths on the line. Beholder=s 108 Anita makes Groupie=s Doll Beyer Speed Figure was by far the fastest earned by a (Bowman=s Band)=s showing at 2-year-old in 2012. Click for the brisnet.com chart o r the Breeders= Cup stand out. Video, sponsored by Taylor Made Sales. Made the deserving even- money favorite that day, the #9. Questing (GB) - GI Alabama S. - Saratoga Aug. 18 4-year-old=s biggest obstacle Questing (Hard Spun)=s sophomore season might=ve was her outside post. That ended with a puzzling non-effort in the GI Breeders= Cup draw did hurt her as she was Ladies= Classic, but she was as hung widest of all in mid-pack, sharp as could be in the Groupie Doll Benoit Photo but when rider Rajiv Maragh Alabama. Fresh off a gave his cue, she quickly commanding victory in the gobbled up the leaders to best Dust and Diamonds by GI Coaching Club American 4 1/2 lengths. According to Trakus data, Groupie Doll Oaks, the Godolphin traveled 17 feet more than the runner-up (good for colorbearer carved out opening about two lengths), who recently took the GIII Sugar fractions of :22.84 and :46.01 Swirl S. after selling at Fasig-Tipton November. Click --seemingly suicidal for the for the brisnet.com chart or Video, sponsored by Taylor Questing Horsephotos 10-furlong contest. Made Sales. P TDN HEADLINE NEWS • 12/28/12 • PAGE 4 of 7 • thoroughbreddailynews.com #7. Shackleford - GI Metropolitan H. - Belmont May 28 This race has perhaps been forgotten a bit by now, but it may have been the most exciting event of the year. The field was jam-packed with big names--Shackleford (Forestry) was looking to add another Grade I trophy to the previous year=s Preakness title; 2011 GI Breeders= Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb=s Posse was hoping to atone for a pair of tough beats from fellow Met Mile runners Jackson Bend and Shackleford (inside) and Caixa Eletronica; favored To Caleb’s Posse Honor and Serve listed the Horsephotos previous season=s GI Cigar Mile H.