Historic Year Earns Accelerate Older Dirt Male Eclipse

Six wins—five in grade 1 races, including the Breeders' Cup Classic—with his only loss by a neck to another standout Breeders' Cup winner, City of Light , powered Accelerate  to the Eclipse Award for older dirt male.

It's not just that Hronis Racing's Accelerate joined Lava Man (2006) and Game On Dude (2013) as the only horses to sweep the Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1), Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1), and TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1)—the "big three" of the handicap division in Southern California—in one season, it's how he did it.

The dominated a sloppy Big 'Cap by 5 1/2 lengths, turned the tables on City of Light after their matchup in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) to win the Gold Cup by 4 1/4 lengths, then took the Pacific Classic by a record 12 1/2 lengths.

"(Trainer John Sadler and I) looked forward to his 5-year-old campaign, and John mapped it out so well," said owner Kosta Hronis. "We found out early on in the year he was better at the classic distances. Did we expect what we got? I don't think anybody can expect that to happen, but we always had great intentions.

"We went into every race feeling great. We know when they get in the starting gate the horse doesn't know his odds—they didn't read the (past performances), they don't know—but we've always felt confident with him."

His Awesome Again Stakes (G1) score and Breeders' Cup Classic victory might not have been as visually impressive, but they showed determination and grit. In the Classic he even ended Sadler's infamous drought in the Breeders' Cup.

The trainer said he began to have doubts after Breeders' Cup misfires with Catalina Cruiser (sixth in the Dirt Mile, G1) and Selcourt (12th in the Filly & Mare Sprint, G1), and a near miss with Catapult (second in the Mile, G1T), but his resolute chestnut came through in the main event at Churchill Downs.

"We're prepared for the worst and hope for the best," Sadler said after the Classic. "I felt good about him today. I think Kosta said the same thing. He's been the best horse in this division all year, so I thought if we had a good trip, he'd be tough."

"This horse is special. He's showed up every time. He's danced every dance," Hronis added.