In a few weeks we will find out who will be on the 2016 National Horse Racing Hall of Fame Ballot. This year is an interesting one in the fact that American Pharaoh will not be on the ballot (he'll have to wait the 5 year period... so 2020 will be our latest TC winner's HOF ceremony). However, this could still be the best class to enter the Hall in some time if the 2 locks both get in as expected. Here are my predictions into who will be on the Finalist ballot and who will actually get in.
Ramon Dominguez: Even without his retirement due to injury Ramon would have been eligible this year anyway (a jockey must be active for 20 years before consideration, however the HOF is allowing him as this would have been his 20th year of race riding). What can you say about him, as he ruled both Delaware and Maryland for years before heading to New York where he was having a very successful career. The regular rider of Gio Ponti and Better Talk Now, he also rode Havre de Grace during her HOY campaign. Odds are good getting in this year.
Steve Asmussen: After being off the ballot for a few years due to the PETA investigation, he was put on the consideration list for 2016. He already has one horse he trained in the Hall of Fame (Curlin) and one of the locks (Rachel Alexandra) is another trainee of his. Also the trainer of the likes of Untapable and Summerly, both KY Oaks winners. Would be interesting if gets in with the two locks.
Victor Espinoza: Of the 11 previous Triple Crown winning jockeys only Willie Saunders, Warren Mehrtens and Jean Cruget are not in the Hall. Victor's accomplishments are pretty good with 3 Derby wins (2002, 2014 and 2015), several Breeders' Cup wins (including the Classic win with Pharoah), an Arlington Million win with The Tin Man and 2 HOY titles (California Chrome and American Pharoah). He was a finalist last year as well. He may have to wait one more year despite winning the TC last year.
Kona Gold: Lost out to Xtra Heat for the second horse spot (Lava Man was a lock). His accomplishements included a BC Sprint win. However, 2017 is more likely his landing spot if the HOF voters decide go with the 2 horse, 2 human class as they have the past few years.
Zenyatta: What's the say about this girl? Lost once in her career and that wasn't by much in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Beat several excellent horses including Champions Gio Ponti, Summer Bird and KY Derby winner Mine That Bird in the 2009 Classic. Her female victims that felt her wrath included Switch, Distaff winner Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, and her stablemate as well as a Distaff winner herself Life is Sweet. Her jockey is already in the HOF. A complete lock to get in this year.
Rachel Alexandra: Even though they never met on the track, you can't talk about Z without mentioning Rach. Possibly the greatest 3yo season for a female since Ruffian. Not only did she beat Mine That Bird (whose jockey she shared and is in the HOF as well) in the 09 Preakness, but beat Summer Bird in the Haskell and older males in the Woodward. Although her 4yo season wasn't as great, people forget that she was still G1 placed. Like Zenyatta, Rachel is a lock for this year's class.
Corey Nakatani: Even though he rode the late great Shared Belief in his 2yo season, Corey is going to be recognized the most by his partnership with one of the all time greatest claims... Lava Man. Together they won 2 Hollywood Gold Cups, 2 Santa Anita Handicaps, a Pacific Classic and a Goodwood. Lava of course went into the Hall last year. Like the two other jockeys mentioned he has BC race wins to his name. The problem is there are only 4 spots open and with two of them basically written in pen... not sure you can pencil his name in quite yet.
Yes there will likely be a few more names on the list, but these are the ones that I'm the most confident about who will be on the ballot.
Predictions in who gets in: Ramon Dominguez, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Steve Asmussen
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