By DRF.com
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2015) — Respondents to an online poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association overwhelmingly tabbed California Chrome’s Kentucky Derby win last year as the “Moment of the Year,” according to a release from the NTRA.
Of the approximate 2,000 voters, 30.5 percent chose the Derby as the “Moment of the Year,” outpolling Wise Dan’s win in the Bernard Baruch at Saratoga in the two-time Horse of the Year’s first start after emergency colic surgery, which received 20.1 percent of the vote. The NTRA allowed voting on 10 specific moments.
California Chrome, who is being pointed to the San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita on Feb. 7, was one of the most popular horses to compete in the Triple Crown in a decade. He won the 2014 Derby as the 5-2 favorite, extending his winning streak to five races.
In third place was Tom Durkin’s final race call and emotional farewell ceremony in the Saratoga winner’s circle on Aug. 31. The nominee received 17.5 percent of the vote.
The NTRA has conducted voting for “Moment of the Year” since 1999.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Friday, January 16, 2015) – Based on an online vote by nearly 2,000 racing fans, California Chrome’s authoritative win in the 140th Kentucky Derby was named the 2014 National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Moment of the Year. The results of the poll were announced this morning at the third annual ThoroFan Awards Breakfast at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
California Chrome went off as the 5-2 Derby favorite coming off wins in four straight starts, including the $1 million Santa Anita Derby, all in his home state of California. Regular rider Victor Espinoza gave the modestly bred son of Lucky Pulpit a perfect ride, sitting just off the early pace in the third position before moving to the lead at the quarter pole. From there California Chrome opened up a five length lead in the stretch and easily held off the late closers to win by 1 3/4 lengths. It marks the second Derby victory for Espinoza and first for Art Sherman, who became the oldest Derby-winning trainer at 77, while propelling co-owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin to national stardom.
Moment of the Year balloting was conducted at the NTRA Web site, ntra.com, and offered voters 10 different images illustrating a range of human emotions as well as outstanding displays of equine athleticism. Finishing second was Wise Dan’s triumphant return from surgery to win the Grade II Bernard Baruch at Saratoga Race Course.
The 2014 images and events that fans chose from (listed chronologically, with percentage of votes received, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point):
– See more at: http://www.ntra.com/en/news-media/press-releases/2015/1/16/california-chromes-kentucky-derby-win-named-ntra-moment-of-the-year/#sthash.58XsAuG4.dpuf