In the annals of horse racing, it is a rare feat for a two-year-old to achieve the prestigious Horse of the Year title at the Eclipse Awards. However, the remarkable career of Favorite Trick, born in 1995, defied convention. His journey from a seemingly modest pedigree to the pinnacle of racing success is a testament to talent, early maturity, and a versatility that extended beyond his initial sprinting lineage. This exceptional colt not only dominated his age group but also carved out a unique place in racing history.
Humble Beginnings and Early Promise
Favorite Trick’s heritage strongly suggested a future as a sprinter. His sire, Phone Trick, was a dominant force with a 9-for-10 record and multiple Grade 2 sprint victories. This speed-focused lineage was evident in Favorite Trick’s older siblings, who were also sprinters. Consequently, his initial sale prices reflected this perceived limitation, fetching only $32,000 as a yearling and $100,000 as a two-year-old. However, as the adage goes, pedigree isn’t everything. Favorite Trick was destined to prove that he was far more than just a sprinter.
Under the guidance of trainer Patrick Byrne, Favorite Trick’s innate talent was apparent from the outset. He debuted with a decisive victory at Keeneland on April 25, 1997, winning by 1 ½ lengths under jockey Pat Day. This was followed by a streak of three consecutive stakes wins at Churchill Downs, including a commanding 4 ½-length triumph in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes, solidifying his status as the top two-year-old in Kentucky.
Ascending to National Prominence
The impressive victories continued at Saratoga, where Favorite Trick outperformed some of the best young horses in New York, capturing both the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes and the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes. His flawless 6-for-6 record at this point was notable, but he had yet to prove his stamina beyond seven-eighths of a mile. He silenced any doubts about his versatility by returning to Keeneland and winning the Grade 2 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity over 1 1/16 miles with a strong rally from just off the pace. This demonstrated his ability to compete and win at longer distances.
The logical culmination of his juvenile season was the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Hollywood Park. Despite a cross-country journey and a demanding campaign, Favorite Trick showed no signs of regression. He took command approaching the homestretch and drew away to a dominant 5 ½-length victory. Trainer Patrick Byrne remarked on his horse’s effortless performance against tough competition.
Horse of the Year and Beyond
Favorite Trick’s undefeated 8-for-8 season made him the clear favorite for champion two-year-old male at the Eclipse Awards. In a year lacking a dominant older horse, his superiority resonated, even drawing comparisons to the legendary Secretariat, the only other two-year-old to have won Horse of the Year. Racing fans and journalists alike championed his cause, and when the votes were tallied, Favorite Trick was a unanimous choice for Horse of the Year, triumphing over Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Skip Away.
The subsequent phases of Favorite Trick’s career were marked by both triumphs and challenges. His trainer, Patrick Byrne, transitioned to a private training role for owner Frank Stronach, and Favorite Trick moved to the stable of trainer Bill Mott, renowned for his success with Cigar. Favorite Trick began his three-year-old season with an easy win in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes but faced a surprising defeat in the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby, his longest race to date.
Concerns about his breeding resurfaced, particularly with the Kentucky Derby looming at 1 ¼ miles. Mott himself expressed some reservations about the colt’s ability to handle the distance, though he noted Favorite Trick’s impressive demeanor. Ultimately, Favorite Trick finished a distant eighth in the Derby, a performance difficult to attribute solely to a lack of stamina.
After a brief respite, Favorite Trick rebounded, winning the Long Branch Breeders’ Cup Stakes and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes. A troubled trip hindered his performance in the Grade 2 King’s Bishop Stakes, his only loss in a sprint race.
Demonstrating remarkable adaptability, Mott entered Favorite Trick in the one-mile Grade 2 Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes on the turf. Mott believed Favorite Trick was neither a pure sprinter nor a true mile-and-a-quarter horse, and the turf offered a new avenue to explore. Favorite Trick thrived on the unfamiliar surface, leading from start to finish and winning by 3 ½ lengths. Jockey Pat Day described his mount as “dynamite” and noted how effortlessly he handled the grass.
While he couldn’t replicate this success in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, finishing eighth, Favorite Trick had unequivocally proven his versatility and talent, transcending his sprinter designation.
Legacy and Retirement
At stud, Favorite Trick achieved notable success as a sire in New Mexico, producing stakes winners like Yucatan, Sum Trick, Tricky R., and Tight Spin, and was the leading New Mexico-based sire in 2006. Tragically, his life was cut short in a barn fire in June 2006.
In the more than 25 years since his historic juvenile season, no other two-year-old has managed to secure the Horse of the Year title at the Eclipse Awards. Favorite Trick’s achievement remains a singular feat, underscoring his exceptional talent and the special nature of his racing career.
Favorite Trick retired with a record of 12 wins and a third-place finish from 16 starts, amassing $1,726,793 in earnings. He was a consistent favorite, never exceeding 7-1 odds in any of his races.
