HORSE RACING NEWS: Turf Sprinter Cogburn Firmly in Eclipse Race Contention
In a surprising omission from last week’s rankings, I now take a closer look at the turf sprinter Cogburn and his potential for Eclipse Award consideration in 2024.
Cogburn, who recently delivered a dominating win in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes over the Belmont Park turf, is very much in the mix for the Eclipse Award for Turf Male. His impressive performance, which included a record-setting time, has thrust the talented sprinter into the national spotlight.
Turf sprinters often get overlooked in the various divisional rankings, as there is no dedicated category for their speciality. The dilemma arises on whether to rank them alongside traditional dirt sprinters or within the turf division, which is already highly competitive with milers and two-turn runners.
However, Cogburn’s case bears strong similarities to that of Stormy Liberal, the first pure turf sprinter to ever win an Eclipse Award back in 2018. That year, Stormy Liberal capitalized on a historically weak turf division to claim the prestigious accolade.
“Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape appears to be unfolding in a similar fashion.”
The consensus top turf males, Master of the Seas and Measured Time, are both based overseas, and their future American campaigns remain uncertain. In contrast, Cogburn is firmly based in the United States and is likely to compete more frequently in the coming months. His two graded stakes wins this season, including the prestigious Jaipur, have already matched the Grade 1 victories of his overseas counterparts.
This week, Cogburn takes the second spot in the turf male rankings, and I strongly considered elevating him to the top position. However, there is no need to rush, as the talented sprinter has ample time to solidify his case for Eclipse Award glory.
Enthusiasts of horse racing will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Cogburn’s future exploits, as he emerges as a serious contender for the coveted Turf Male Eclipse Award in 2024.
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