Twilight Eclipse Finally Earns Elusive Grade 1 Win

The Thomas Albertrani trainee had become the proverbial bridesmaid while running second in the United Nations, third in Sword Dancer, second in the Turf Classic, and third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last year – all grade 1 events. In those races, Twilight Eclipse was beaten a neck, three quarters of a length, a neck, and one and three quarter lengths respectively, losing each time to 2014 Turf Horse of the Year Main Sequence.

Overdue, but finally

For good measure, Twilight Eclipse began his 2015 campaign with yet another loss to Main Sequence – this time by three quarters of a length in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida Handicap at Gulfstream Park. He followed that effort with a three quarter length loss to Imagining in the Grade 2 Pan American. But Twilight Eclipse was finally able to avoid Main Sequence in the Man o’ War and turned the tables on Imagining while finding an extra gear in the stretch to prevail by a half length over a game War Dancer.

Twilight Eclipse among best turfers

The 9/5 price on Twilight Eclipse may not have been appetizing to most bettors (although he was the second choice to 6/5 Imagining in the field of six), but horse players generally appreciate consistent performers. That label is an apt one for Twilight Eclipse who should again prove himself as one of the top distance grass horses in 2015.