b'eclipse awardsshame because its so hard to win an Eclipse gold tulle dress that matched her fathers tux-Award, and he had so many people he want- edo, Sarai Ortiz had the crowd eating from ed to thank at the barn for their hard work.the palm of her hand when she seized her 15 Those guys rarely get acknowledged and theyWe have a lot ofseconds of fame and posed for the camera do so much. like a mini runway model. Making a triumphant return to racing forOrtiz Jr., for his part, could barely contain the first time since he dismantled his stablefun, especiallyhis excitement, or his daughter, as he thanked almost two decades ago, veteran horsemanhis family, agents, owners, and trainers for his Peter Brant was on hand to accept the awardin the winners success. Still in control of the crowd and the for champion female turf horse Sistercharlie.moment, Sarai let fly with a few dance moves Alone at the podium, Brant struggled to keepand was all smiles when her father finally led his emotions from getting the better of himcircle. her off the stage and back to their seats. at times. Chad Brown helped close the evening Its been a great, great, great, year for thiswhen he accepted his third consecutive title horse, Brant said before pausing to collectas Eclipse Award-winning trainer. Having himself. I would also like to thank my fami-Kenny TrouTT beaten Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for the ly for being so supportive of me getting back2018 title, Brown also briefly fell victim to into horse racing. This is a great honor, and itthe time limits of the speech but was able means so much to me. to thank all of his staff and throw in a little With the show on track for time andhumor on the way.more than half the award recipients an-I dont know about the time restraints, nounced, longtime head of the Del Marmusic, whips, and chains theyre using Thoroughbred Club Joe Harper took theWith the room in an uproar of laughter,tonight, Brown said with a laugh. But this stage to accept the award of merit. NeverHarper finally gave way to the connectionsaward is a great honor and we take it very se-one to deny the crowd a good story, Harperof Unique Bella, who took home her secondriously. I want to thank all of our clients who disregarded the acceptance speech limit andEclipse Award, this time for champion oldertrust us with these amazing talented horses. effectively turned the show into an im- dirt female.With so much controversy surrounding promptu, good-natured roast of his Del MarJustify was awarded champion 3-year-oldthe most prestigious and coveted Horse of colleagues.male by a unanimous vote of 249, and thenthe Year award, the close of the 2019 Eclipse I cant tell you what this award means toBreeders Cup Classic (G1) winner Accel- Awards finally put an end to months of spec-Del Mar, Harper said. Its got my name onerate was named champion older dirt male.ulation. Should Justify, winner of the 13th it, but its got Del Mars soul on it. And ImAccelerates Breeders Cup Classic triumphTriple Crown in the history of racing win the so grateful to the guys that are working there.had been the first of his career in the Worldcoveted moniker for WinStar Farm, China To our president, Josh Rubenstein; Josh cameChampionships for trainer John Sadler, whoHorse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and to work at Del Mar when he was in highaccepted the award with owner Kosta HronisStarlight Racing? Or would it be Accelerate, school. His mother had to drive him to workand his family. Hronis Racing was alsothe talented 5-year-old who took home five the first day. Craig Dado, our genius market- awarded owner of the year for its efforts ingrade 1 races on the year? ing directorIve taken credit shamelesslythe past season. Hronis, who bounded up onDivisive as the vote might have appeared for every good idea he ever had. Mike Ernststage sporting a mile-wide smile, was quick toto be, Justify emerged victorious on the is our CFO. Hes the only CFO Ive everpraise Sadler for teaching the family lessonsballot.known that had a sense of humor. He bringsbeyond simply how to win at horse racing.WinStar Farm owner Kenny Troutt, young people to the track every day, and hesWe have to thank our one and onlyended the evening on a high note. one of the best marketing guys weve got. Hetrainer John Sadler, Hronis said. WithI want to thank God for blessing us up can also count to 10, and things are workinghis guidance and friendship, he made all ofhere tonight, Troutt said. Its been a blessing out pretty well for him. this happen. He trained us how to be goodthe things hes done for us. Tom Robbins, what can I say? Hesowners and good stewards of this great sport.I want to thank all of my partners we the best, Harper continued. The abso- John had this plan laid out for us, and for ushave here. We have a lot of fun, especially lute best racing guy. Hes nervous; hes into be here tonight and achieve this is suchin the winners circle. I want to thank all of the racing office all the time trying to getan incredible job. This is a little boys dreamWinStar Farm and our employees. They work entries and he paces around. We all knowcome true. hard to touch all of these horses. I want to what a weaver is in the stall and thats Tom.While Hronis felt his childhood dreamsthank Bob Baffert for being a trainer. Hes So what do you do with a weaver? You getcome to fruition, an actual child walkedstarting to get this Triple Crown down.a goat. So, David Jerkens, I want to thankhand-in-hand with her father, jockey IradHorse racing and the farm have really you for being the goat. Now you bothOrtiz Jr., to the stage to accept the award forbrought my family together. Its been a worry but not so much. outstanding jockey. Clad in a tiny black andblessing. 66 09_EclipseAwards_use.indd 66 3/21/19 2:55 PM'