Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra Hall Finalists

Four jockeys, four Thoroughbreds, and two trainers comprise the 10 finalists on the National Museum of Racing's 2016 Hall of Fame ballot, as selected by the Museum's Hall of Fame nominating committee.

The finalists are jockeys Ramon Dominguez, Victor Espinoza, Garrett Gomez and Craig Perret; Thoroughbreds English Channel  , Kona Gold, Rachel Alexandra. and Zenyatta; and trainers Steve Asmussen and David Whiteley. Dominguez, English Channel, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are first-time finalists.

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Dominguez Ruled Eligible for Hall of Fame

Dominguez, 39, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, won 4,985 races and $191,620,277 in his career and won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2010, 2011, and 2012. He led all North American riders in earnings each of those years, setting a record of $25,639,432 in 2012. Dominguez led all jockeys in wins in 2001 and 2003 and was second in wins on seven other occasions. He won a total of 20 individual meet riding titles on the New York Racing Association circuit, including a record 68 wins at Saratoga Race Course in 2012.

The overall leading rider in New York from 2009-2012, Dominguez won a total of 44 grade I races in his career, including 25 from 2010 through 2012. He won three Breeders' Cup races: the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) with Better Talk Now, 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) with Hansen, and the 2012 Turf with Little Mike. Dominguez was the regular rider of 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace and his other top mounts included champion Gio Ponti  . He won a total of 160 graded stakes and currently ranks 17th all time in earnings and 32nd in wins.

Espinoza, 43, a native of Tulancingo, Mexico, has won 3,266 races with earnings of $186,231,530 through March 8. An Eclipse Award finalist in 2015 when he rode Horse of the Year American Pharoah   to the first Triple Crown in 37 years, Espinoza has a total of seven victories in the Triple Crown series, including five in the past two years. He has three wins in both the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and one in the Belmont (gr. I). Espinoza has ranked in the top 10 nationally in earnings seven times since 2000, including a peak position of No. 3 in both 2004 and 2006. He won 38 graded stakes from 2014-2015, including 19 grade Is. With American Pharoah and 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome   alone, Espinoza has won a total of 15 graded stakes.

Other major wins for Espinoza include the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) at odds of 55-1 with Spain in 2000. He has been the leading rider twice at Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita Park, and currently ranks 19th all time in earnings with 229 graded stakes.

Gomez, 44, a native of Tucson, Ariz., rode from 1988 through 2013 and won 3,769 races and $205,224,899. The Eclipse Award winner in 2007 and 2008, Gomez led all North American riders in earnings in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2007, he set a single-year record with 76 stakes wins. He won 13 Breeders' Cup races, including the 2010 Classic (gr. I) with Blame  , handing Zenyatta her lone career defeat. He won the Bill Shoemaker Award for the top jockey at the Breeders' Cup four times.

Gomez began his career at Santa Fe Downs in New Mexico in 1988 and rode on the California Fair Circuit before moving to the Midwest in 1989. He was the second-leading apprentice rider in the nation with 182 wins that year. Gomez's career began to shine in the mid-1990s when he won back-to-back runnings of the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) in 1994 and 1995. Gomez relocated to the West Coast in 1998 and won the fall meet riding title that year at Hollywood Park. The next year, Gomez won four grade I events on the West Coast and in 2000 won the first of back-to-back runnings of the Pacific Classic with Skimming. Gomez won the Pacific Classic a record-tying four times. Gomez won three riding titles at Hollywood Park and one at Santa Anita. He ranks 13th all time in earnings and won a total of 318 graded stakes.

Perret, 66, won 4,415 races and had purse earnings of $113,837,299 in a career that spanned from 1967-2005. He was North America's leading apprentice jockey in earnings in 1967 and won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 1990.

In 1987 Perret rode Bet Twice to a 14-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, denying the Triple Crown hopes of Alysheba. During his Eclipse Award year of 1990, Perret won the Kentucky Derby with Unbridled and grade I races with Housebuster, Safely Kept, Rhythm, and With Approval. He won a total of 57 stakes races that year and earned a career-best $11,724,403.

In 1993 Perret won the first and third legs of the Canadian Triple Crown—the Queen's Plate and Breeders' Stakes—aboard that year's Sovereign Award winner for Horse for the Year, Peteski. Perret also piloted Peteski to a victory in the Molson Export Million (gr. II) that year. Perret won the middle jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes, in 1994 with Bruce's Mill in stakes-record time. He also won the Queen's Plate in 1992 with Alydeed and the Breeders' Stakes in 1995 with Charlie's Dewan for a total of five victories in the Canadian Classics, and collected four Breeders' Cup victories. Perret ranks 40th all-time in earnings and 49th in wins.

English Channel   (Smart Strike—Belva, by Theatrical (IRE)) posted a career record of 13-4-1 from 23 starts and earned $5,319,028. Bred in Kentucky by Keene Ridge Farm, English Channel was a $50,000 purchase by James Scatuorchio at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sales. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden in all but one of his 23 career starts by John Velazquez, English Channel won the 2007 Eclipse Award for outstanding turf horse. He was the winner of seven graded stakes, including six grade I events.

English Channel won his lone start as a 2-year-old in the summer of 2004 at Saratoga. At 3, he posted a record of 4-2-0 from eight starts and earned $1,143,491. His wins that year included the Woodlawn Stakes at Pimlico, the Virginia Derby (gr. IIIT) and Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs and an allowance score at Keeneland. He also finished second in the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (gr. IT) that year.

As a 4-year-old in 2006, English Channel registered grade I wins in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, United Nations Stakes, and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. He also won the Canadian Turf Handicap and finished third in the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf . English Channel posted a seasonal mark of 4-0-1 from seven starts and earnings of $1,507,937.

At 5 in 2007, English Channel repeated in both the United Nations Stakes (setting a course record of 2:12.89 for 1⅜ miles on the turf) and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. He concluded his career with a seven-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Monmouth Park. He also set a Gulfstream Park course record that year for 1⅛ miles on the turf of 1:44.51 in an allowance victory. He retired with a record of 13-4-1 from 23 starts and earnings of $2,640,000.

Kona Gold (Java Gold—Double Sunrise, by Slew o' Gold) was bred in Kentucky by Carlos Perez at Twilite Farm and sold for $35,000 at Keeneland to a partnership that included trainer Bruce Headley, Irwin and Andrew Molasky, and Michael Singh's High Tech Stable. The Eclipse Award winner for champion sprinter and runner-up for Horse of the Year as a 6-year-old in 2000, Kona Gold posted a career record of 14-7-2 from 30 starts with earnings of $2,293,384.

During his championship year in 2000, Kona Gold won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), Ancient Title (gr. I), Bing Crosby (gr. I), Potrero Grande (gr. II), and Palos Verdes (gr. II). In winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Kona Gold broke the Churchill and Breeders' Cup record for six furlongs with a time of 1:07.77. A five-time Breeders' Cup Sprint participant, Kona Gold won the Bing Crosby and Potrero Grande again in 2001. He also had multiple victories in the El Conejo Handicap (gr. III), including a Santa Anita track record in 1999. Kona Gold's other major wins included the San Carlos Handicap (gr. I) and Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III).

Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro  —Lotta Kim, by Roar) was named Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly in 2009 and posted a career record of 13-5-0 from 19 starts with earnings of $3,506,730. Bred in Kentucky by owner Dolphus Morrison, she was trained by Hal Wiggins until a private sale to Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick following her 20 1/4-length victory in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). From there, she was trained by Steve Asmussen.

After being ridden by Brian Hernandez early in her career, Rachel Alexandra was piloted by Calvin Borel for her final 14 career starts.

As a 2-year-old in 2008, Rachel Alexandra broke her maiden in her second career start at Churchill Downs, added an allowance win at Keeneland, and returned to Churchill to conclude her season with a win in the grade II Golden Rod Stakes (setting a stakes record) in her first pairing with Borel. She posted a record of 3-2-0 from six starts and earnings of $201,440 as a juvenile.

As a 3-year-old in 2009 Rachel Alexandra delivered a perfect record in eight starts. She won at seven different tracks that year, starting with a victory in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park. She then won the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) and Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) prior to her 20 1/4-length win in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Asmussen and her new ownership then entered her in the Preakness where she became the first filly to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown since 1924, defeating Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird. Rachel Alexandra then romped by 19 1/4 lengths in the Mother Goose (gr. I), defeated Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) by six lengths, and topped older males in a dramatic Woodward (gr. I) victory. Her sophomore ledger was 8-0-0 from eight starts and earnings of $2,746,914.

Rachel Alexandra returned as a 4-year-old in 2010 and finished second in her first two starts, the New Orleans Ladies Stakes and the La Troienne (gr. II). She then won the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) and the Lady's Secret Stakes before finishing second in the Personal Ensign (gr. I), her final career start. She finished the season with a record of 2-3-0 from five starts and earnings of $558,376.

Zenyatta (Street Cry—Vertigineux, by Kris S.), who posted a career mark of 19-1-0 from 20 starts and earnings of $7,304,580, was named Horse of the Year in 2010 and won a total of four Eclipse Awards in her career. Bred in Kentucky by Maverick Production, Ltd., Zenyatta was a $60,000 purchase by Jerry and Ann Moss at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sales. Trained by John Shirreffs, Zenyatta was named champion older mare in 2008, 2009 and 2010 along with her Horse of the Year honor.

Zenyatta arrived at the races late in 2007 as a 3-year-old, winning both of her starts at Hollywood Park. From that point on, she competed exclusively in graded stakes events, winning 17 consecutive such races to run her win streak to 19 to start her career.

At 4, Zenyatta won the El Encino Stakes (gr .II), Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), Milady Handicap (gr. II), Vanity Handicap (gr. I), Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I), Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I), and Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I). She finished the season with a record of 7-0-0 from seven starts and earnings of $2,090,580, winning the first of three consecutive Eclipse Awards as champion older mare.

In 2009, at age 5, Zenyatta repeated in the Milady, Hirsch and Lady's Secret and defeated the likes of Gio Ponti, Summer Bird, and Colonel John   to become the first filly or mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic and earn her second straight Eclipse for champion older mare with a record of 5-0-0 from five starts and earnings of $3,330,000.

As a 6-year-old in 2010, Zenyatta won the Santa Margarita Invitational (gr. I), her second Apple Blossom, and third editions of the Vanity, Hirsch and Lady's Secret. She owned a 19-race win streak before suffering her lone career loss to Blame in the Breeders' Cup Classic, her final career start. With a record of 5-1-0 from six starts and earnings of $1,830,000, she was named Horse of the Year and earned her third consecutive champion older mare award. Overall, Zenyatta won a total of 17 graded stakes, including 13 grade I races.

Asmussen, 50, a native of Gettysburg, S.D., ranks second all-time in career wins (7,246 through March 8) and fourth in earnings ($237,473,515) in a training career that began in 1986 after a brief time as a jockey. The Eclipse Award winner for outstanding trainer in 2008 and 2009, Asmussen has led all North American trainers in wins nine times and earnings three times. He has ranked in the top 10 in both wins and earnings every year since 2000. In 2004, Asmussen won 555 races to surpass the single-year record of 496 that had been held by Jack Van Berg since 1976. Asmussen broke his own record in 2008 with 621 wins and topped it once again with 650 wins in 2009.

Asmussen trained Curlin   to Horse of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008 and Rachel Alexandra to the Horse of the Year title in 2009. With Curlin, Asmussen won the Preakness, Breeders' Cup Classic, Woodward, Stephen Foster (gr. I), Arkansas Derby (gr. I), Rebel (gr. II), and two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I). He won a third Jockey Club Gold Cup with Haynesfield  . Asmussen has also trained champions Kodiak Kowboy, My Miss Aurelia, and Untapable.

Asmussen has five Breeders' Cup victories: the 2007 Classic with Curlin, 2011 Turf Sprint (gr. IIT) with Regally Ready, 2011 Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) with My Miss Aurelia, 2012 Dirt Mile (gr. I) with Tapizar  , and 2014 Distaff with Untapable. Other major wins include multiple editions of the Kentucky Oaks.

Asmussen earned his record 17th leading trainer title at Churchill in the 2015 fall meeting. He has won 13 training titles at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 11 at Remington Park, 11 at Lone Star Park and six at Oaklawn. He was the first trainer to surpass 1,000 wins at Lone Star. Asmussen has won a total of 185 graded stakes.

Whiteley, 71, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Frank Whiteley, Jr., trained champions Revidere, Waya, and Just a Game (IRE), and won 678 races in a career that spanned from 1970 through 1995. He won 33 percent of his starts (678-for-2,068) and had purse earnings of $11,837,823. Whiteley won 45 graded stakes races and 62 overall stakes. He won the 1979 Belmont Stakes with Coastal, thwarting the Triple Crown hopes of Spectacular Bid.

With Revidere (1976 champion 3-Year-Old filly), Whiteley won the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I), Ruffian Stakes (gr. I), Monmouth Oaks (gr. I), Cotillion Handicap (gr. II), and Gazelle Handicap (gr. II). Whiteley won the Flower Bowl, Diana Handicap (gr. IIT), Man o' War (gr. IT), Turf Classic (gr. IT), Santa Ana Handicap, Top Flight Handicap (gr. IT), Saratoga Springs Cup, and Beldame (gr. IT) with 1979 champion older female Waya. With Just a Game, the champion female turf horse of 1980, he won the Diana, Flower Bowl, Matchmaker (gr. IIT), Orchid Handicap (gr. IIIT), New York Handicap (gr. IIIT), Suwannee River Handicap, and La Prevoyante Handicap (gr. IIIT). Other notables trained by Whiteley included Highland Blade, Tiller, French Colonial, Instrument Landing and Bailjumper.

Hall of Fame voters may select as many candidates as they believe worthy of induction to the Hall of Fame. A maximum of four candidates with the highest vote totals—provided they receive majority approval (50.1 percent) of the voting panel—will be elected to the Hall of Fame. If less than than four candidates receive "yes" votes from a majority of voters, there will be fewer than four inductees in 2016. The results of the voting on contemporary candidates will be announced on Monday, April 25.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Friday, Aug. 12 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

The finalists were selected by the Hall of Fame's 16-member nominating committee from a total of 82 initial candidates suggested by turf journalists, Thoroughbred industry participants, and racing fans. To be eligible, trainers must have been licensed for 25 years, while jockeys must have been licensed for 20 years.

Thoroughbreds are required to be retired for five calendar years before becoming eligible.

All candidates must have been active within the past 25 years. Candidates not active within the past 25 years are eligible through the historic review process. The 20- and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived, at the discretion of the Museum's executive committee. Dominguez, who rode from 1996 through 2013 before suffering a career-ending injury, had the 20-year requirement waived by the executive committee.