Big night for Wise Dan at Eclipse Awards

Since John Henry in 1981, it was only Wise Dan, who ever won three categories at the Eclipse Award ceremony in Hallandale Beach, Fla. He was awarded Horse of the Year, older male and male turf horse last January 19, 2013.

Wise Dan snatched two track records in 2012 finishing his season in the Breeders’ Cup Mile with a fantastic turn of foot.

Wise Dan is known for his victories on mile races carried out on the grass. He is now included in the famous line up of champions such as Round Table, Dr. Fager, Fort Marcy, Secretariat.

In 2011, this horse racing favorite won the Clark Handicap on dirt at Churchill Downs and Fayette Stakes.

In 2012, he covered five victories. He traveled to win in New York, Kentucky, California and Canada and had whooping earnings of $2,622,037. his record of 1:46.63 in 10 1D1 length romp in the 11D8-mile Ben Ali Stakes earned him 117 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest figure of the year and the biggest synthetic Beyer since dawn of artificial grounds.

He marked his legend when he won a three-race streak in Premiere Company going a mile on turf. A record breaking 11D2 length score under John Velasquez was made when he was able to get the distance in 1:31.78 while carrying 126 pounds leaving 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and European standouts Excelebration and Moonlight Cloud aside. Lopresti never expected it.

At Stephen Foster Handicap on dirt at Churchill Downs, in the closing stage Ron the Greek beat him by a head. In Saratoga Race Course, he won five length in the Fourstardave Handicap. Three Grade 1 victories after those horse races made him the most accomplished runner in the nation.

Wise Dan, foaled in Kentucky on February 20, 2007 is owned by Fink. He belongs to a family of horse racing winners. Wise Dan’s dam, Lisa Danielle is the daughter of Wolf Power.

Wise Dan is now preparing for his debut on April 12 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland. Lopresti and Fink has planned for another dirt run for him and you’ll definitely see him on various surfaces this 2013.