Online voting is now open for the eighth annual Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Created by Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery, the Vox Populi, or "Voice of the People," recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year.
Fans can vote in the online poll, which can be found at Secretariat.com, for one of six nominees selected by the Vox Populi Committee this year. Voters also have the option to write in a racehorse of their choice. The poll is open through Dec. 12, and a public presentation to the 2017 Vox Populi winner is scheduled for Jan. 20 at Santa Anita Park.
This year's nominees are:
- Arrogate , the talented and enigmatic 4-year-old colt who in 2017 became the top all-time North American earner after impressive wins in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1);
- Ben's Cat, the late, four-time Maryland Horse of the Year who amassed the devotion of a legion of fans in an eight-year racing career that concluded in 2017;
- Gun Runner , the commanding 4-year-old colt whose outstanding achievements this year include $6.9 million in earnings and four consecutive grade 1 victories culminating with the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1);
- Lady Eli, the sensational 5-year-old racemare who overcame laminitis to win three of her five 2017 starts finishing a stellar career;
- Patch, the one-eyed, 3-year-old Triple Crown contender who ran third in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and garnered international fanfare for prevailing over obvious challenges to compete at the sport's highest level; and,
- Songbird, the fabulously competitive 4-year-old multiple graded stakes winning filly who retired in August and recently sold for $9.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale.
"All the nominees in this wide-open field have endeared themselves to racing fans—my mother included. She followed each of these horses with great interest and admiration," said Kate Tweedy, Chenery's daughter. "We will be awarding the Vox Populi for the first time without her, and I am sure she would have had her own opinion as to who the winner should be and encouraged all racing fans to vote and let their voice be heard. The award is a testament to her legacy and epitomizes her love for the sport. Our family looks forward to continuing that tradition."
The list of previous Vox Populi winners reads as a who's who among the sport's contemporary superstars: California Chrome (2016 and 2014), American Pharoah (2015), Mucho Macho Man (2013), Paynter (2012), Rapid Redux (2011), and 2010 inaugural winner Zenyatta.
The nominating committee for the Secretariat Vox Populi Award is comprised of several distinguished personalities from within and outside the racing industry, who all share a keen interest and affection for the sport. For more information about the award, visit Secretariat.com.
