Rags to Riches' Belmont win voted 2007 Moment of the Year

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced that Rags to Riches' exciting victory in the 139th Belmont Stakes has been voted the 2007 NTRA Moment of the Year. Voting was conducted on the NTRA website, ntra.com.

The historic win by the three-year-old filly over Preakness Stakes champ Curlin received 51 percent of the votes. Owners Derrick Smith and Michael Smith, and trainer Todd Pletcher will be recognized at the Eclipse Award ceremony Monday, January 21, in Beverly Hills, CA.

Finishing second with 17 percent of the votes was the euthanization of Barbaro, and Curlin's victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic was third with 10 percent.

The Kentucky Derby win by Street Sense tied for fourth with the death of John Henry, each garnering seven-percent of the ballotting.

"The NTRA Moment of the Year award is a great way for the fans to play an active role in the Eclipse Awards ceremony," said Keith Chamblin, NTRA senior vice president of communications. "In a year with so many memorable moments, Rags to Riches clearly stood out in the hearts and minds of horse racing fans. We are delighted to salute her marvelous Belmont victory as the latest NTRA Moment of the Year."

Fans have been voting for "Moment of the Year" since the 1999 racing season when the winning moment was the touching scene involving Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley following the 1999 Belmont Stakes.

This year there were 12 moments from which to choose:

Barbaro is euthanized at the New Bolton Center due to complications from laminitis.

Reigning Horse of the Year Invasor defeats Premium Tap to take the Dubai World Cup.

Street Sense ends "Juvenile Jinx", wins 2007 Kentucky Derby.

Curlin catches Street Sense in the stretch to capture the Preakness Stakes.

Still going strong at age 9, The Tin Man wins the Shoemaker Mile off an eight- month layoff.

Rags to Riches outduels Curlin and becomes first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes.

With trainer Doug O'Neill listening to the race call from a pub in Ireland, Lava Man comes on again in deep stretch to win his third consecutive Hollywood Gold Cup.

Lawyer Ron overcomes wide journey from post 10 to capture the Whitney Handicap and break the Saratoga track record for 1 1/8 miles.

Racing legend John Henry dies at the Kentucky Horse Farm at the age of 32.

Midnight Lute unleashes stunning rally to blow away his rivals in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Ginger Punch bulls her way through on the inside to win the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Curlin runs down Lawyer Ron, Street Sense and Hard Spun en route to victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic.