Curlin named Horse of the Year

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Preakness and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin swept Horse of the Year and 3-year-old male honors at the 37th annual Eclipse Awards last night.

Curlin overwhelmed the competition in Horse of the Year voting, receiving 249 first-place votes to 12 for Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches. Last year's winner, Invasor, earned two votes.

Corinthian, English Channel and Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense received one each in balloting by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers Association. Curlin dominated Street Sense and Derby runner-up Hard Spun in voting for male 3-year-old. Curlin received 262 votes to Street Sense's three and one for Hard Spun.

Curlin's other victories last year were in the Arkansas Derby and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Curlin's immediate future could include foreclosure.

An attorney for 418 people, plaintiffs in a lawsuit against two of Curlin's minority owners, wants a judge to order foreclosure on the horse, the stable that officially owns him and its parent company.

A foreclosure could have 20 percent ownership in the horse up for bid with the Boone County, Ky., sheriff, with any money made from the public sale going to settle a $42 million judgment. The plaintiffs effectively have held a lien against Curlin since November.