The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters have announced the winners of the 2019 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories. They are as follows:
Television – Live Racing Programming – TVG, “TVG Pacific Classic,” Aug. 17, 2019. TVG won its first Live Racing Programming Eclipse Award for its coverage of Pacific Classic Day, which culminated with a runaway victory by Higher Power.
Television – Features – FOX Sports 2, “When Rachel Raised the Rafters,” Aug. 30, 2019. This feature celebrated the 10th anniversary of the brilliant Rachel Alexandra capping her historic 2009 Horse of the Year season by besting older males to become the first filly to capture the Woodward.
Feature/Commentary Writing – Joe Nevills, Paulick Report “Biting The Dust: A Long Goodbye to Mount Pleasant Meadows,” July 22, 2019. Nevills, bloodstock editor of the Paulick Report since 2018, tells the story of the demise of a small mixed-breed track in central Michigan.
News/Enterprise Writing – Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune “Anniversary of Deadly San Luis Rey Fire Strains Still,” Dec. 8, 2018. This piece was both an examination of the rebuilding and improvements to San Luis Rey Downs and an update on the individuals whose lives were permanently altered one year after the Lilac fire devastated the Thoroughbred training facility in Bonsal, California in December 2017.
Audio/Multi-Media Internet – Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) “2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships,” Nov. 2, 2019. Providing its North American audience with nearly 10 hours of live radio coverage of the 36th Breeders' Cup from Santa Anita Park, Nov. 1-2, on Sirius 219/XM, HRRN covered all aspects of the event.
Honorable mention in the Audio/Multimedia and Internet category went to Kelsey Riley and Thoroughbred Daily News for “At 27 Serena's Song Still Hits All the Right Notes,” which appeared in TDN Look July 27, 2019.
Photography – Jim Leuenberger, DRF.com; “2019 Kentucky Derby,” May 4, 2019. Leuenberger, 73, won his first Eclipse Award for his photograph of the critical moment of the 145th Kentucky Derby, when the disqualified winner Maximum Security veered sharply on the final turn.
Each of the Media Eclipse Award winners will be presented their trophies at 49th Annual Eclipse Awards Thursday, January 23, 2020 at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
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