Baffert and Tiznow Get Hall of Fame Selection
Baffert's Charge Silverbulletday, Jockey Eddie Maple Join Class
Apr 24, 2009
Thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert first learned his trade among elite Quarter Horse competitions, a career that for the last two years kept him off the minds of the 16-member National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame nominating committee who thought he didn't yet have enough years under his belt in handling Thoroughbreds to merit Hall consideration.
Baffert has trained three Kentucky Derby winners, four Preakness champs, and a Belmont victor.
The Hall voting panel consists of 181 members who by majority vote choose Hall inductees from the dozen, or so nominated finalists.
Baffert Hits Hall Finish Line with Silverbulletday
The white-haired, 56-year-old Baffert reached the finish wire this year with one of his best trainees, Silverbulletday. Open Mind and Sky Beauty were Silverbulletday's competition in contemporary female finalists, while the other nominated finalist for trainer was Robert Wheeler.
Baffert's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Winners:
- Silver Charm --- 1997
- Real Quiet --- 1998
- War Emblem --- 2002
- Point Given --- 2001 Preakness and Belmont winner
Silverbulletday's Record:
- 1998 --- Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
- 1999 --- Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
- 23 Career Starts --- 15 Wins
- Earnings --- $3,093,207
- Winner --- grade one races Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; Ashland Stakes; Kentucky Oaks; Alabama Stakes; Gazelle Handicap
- Owner --- Mike Pegram
Trainer Neil Drysdale and his great A.P. Indy are the only previous trainer and champion to be voted into the Hall in the same year. Drysdale and Indy were Hall inductees in 2000.
This year's induction will be held at Saratoga Springs, New York on August 14 at the Fasig-Tipton sale pavilion.
Champion Tiznow Gets Hall of Fame
Tiznow, passed over in last year's voting, is the only Thoroughbred to ever win back-to-back Breeders' Cup Classics. He currently serves at stud for WinStar Farm in Kentucky. In this year's selections, Tiznow outpointed Best Pal and Point Given.
Da'Tara, 2008 Belmont Stakes upset winner over favored Big Brown, is a Tiznow son. Tiznow is an extension of Man o' War bloodstock through Cee's Tizzy, a son of Relaunch.
Tiznow's Record:
- 15 Career Starts --- 8 Wins
- Earnings --- $6,427,830
- 2000 --- Horse of the Year; Champion Three-Year-Old Male
- 2001 --- Champion Older Male
- Trainer --- Jay Robbins
- Owner/Breeder --- Cecilia Straub-Rubens
Jockey Eddie Maple Honored
Sixty-year-old jockey Eddie Maple, who piloted such stars as Creme Fraiche and Temperence Hill, retired from riding in 1998 with 4,398 wins. Creme Fraiche and Temperence Hill won the Belmont Stakes in 1980 and 1985, respectively.
A regular rider for legendary trainer Woody Stephens, Maple is a 34-year riding veteran of the Sport of Kings.
Steeplechase Winners Elliot and Ben Nevis II
Steeplechase trainer Janet Elliot, 60, became the first female conditioner to win election to the Hall. She also is just the second woman selected over all to the Hall. The other is jockey Julie Krone.
Elliot's Career:
- County Cork, Ireland native
- 1968 --- Moved to the United States
- Assistant trainer to Jonathan Sheppard
- 1979 --- Began her own stable
- 1991 --- Won national training title with most wins and earnings in steeplechase
- Top charges --- Flat Top, Corregio, and Census
The Hall members' steeplechase committee also selected 1980 English Grand National champion Ben Nevis II for induction.
