The 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Blame , along with the movie “Secretariat” and jockeys Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, and John Velazquez were among a wide array of athletes and sports entities announced June 24 as nominees for the 19th annual ESPY Awards. Presented by ESPN, the ESPY Awards will take place July 13 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Blame was nominated in the category of “Best Upset” for his victory over previously undefeated Zenyatta in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. The other three nominees in the “Best Upset” category are Fabricio Werdum for his MMA win over Fedor Emalianenko; the Seattle Seahawks for their win over the New Orleans Saints in the opening round of the NFL Playoffs; and the Virginia Commonwealth University basketball team for its long run in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“Secretariat” was nominated in the category of “Best Sports Movie”. Other nominees in that category are “The Fighter”, “Soul Surfer” and “Win Win”.
Dominguez, Gomez, and Velazquez were the three nominees in the “Best Jockey” category. Dominguez won the 2010 Eclipse Award as North America’s top jockey. Gomez had a strong 2010 season highlighted by his winning rides aboard Blame. Velazquez achieved a personal first earlier this year when he piloted Animal Kingdom to victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Final results will be determined by fan balloting now available at espn.com/espys and facebook.com/espn. Voting will continue through July 9.