Paynter’s brilliant Knicks Go was one of three horses named as a finalist for the 2021 Eclipse Award in the Older Male Division when the nominees were announced on Saturday.
The winners will be revealed at the Eclipse Award ceremony at Santa Anita Feb. 10.
Though the NTRA does not announce Horse of the Year finalists until the night of the ceremony, Knicks Go is certain to be on the list and is widely expected to be named the winner for both awards following his brilliant 2021 campaign.
Owned by the Korean Racing Authority, Knicks Go kicked off 2021 with a win in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in January. In the last half of the year, he scored consecutive blowout wins in the Cornhusker H. (G3), Whitney S. (G1), Lukas Classic (G3), and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
The now 6-year-old will have a return engagement in the Pegasus, which is scheduled for Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park.
Paynter was a top-10 General Sire in 2021, with $13.8 million in progeny earnings and eight stakes winners of 15 black type events. He has gotten off to a hot start in 2022, already tallying a pair of stakes horses in the first two weeks of the year. Paynter stands for $10,000 S&N at WinStar Farm.
