The Paddock is one of our most unique features. Each week, the voters decide who we showcase in the Paddock. The list of possible horses is below. Cast your vote for (Grand Slam, Countess Diana or Event Of The Year) by clicking here... vote@theturfonline.com.

This is a video image. It takes approximately 2 minutes to fully download, then it will play back at a faster rate. Enjoy!

Arazi

Arazi greeted us on an unusually cold and overcast day in April of 1997. He is a very friendly and curious young stallion. Arazi is shown here, in one of the spacious paddocks at Three Chimney's farm, however, he was sold and is now in Japan. Arazi began his racing career in Europe (although he was Kentucky bred) and burst upon the American racing scene in the fall of 1991, during the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In a performance that left the seasoned racing fans at Churchill Downs in stunned silence, Arazi blew by his rivals on the turn for home while taking the turn so wide that his jockey nearly lost his seat. The impressive performance left his jockey with only one thing to say, "This is the next Triple Crown winner!" And so began the burden for this little colt to attempt to walk in the footsteps of the immortal Secretariat. Arazi developed chips in his knees after the unbelievable run in the Breeders' Cup. Surgery was performed that was very similar to that of Spend A Buck (1985 Kentucky Derby winner). This left little time to prepare him for the Derby in the traditional fashion. He was able to run in and win one race in Europe on the grass before heading to Kentucky. From the moment the colt stepped off the plane and until days after the Derby, there were people swarming this slightly smaller version of Secretariat--or at least many people hoped he was. Unfortunately, with the lack of prep races, Arazi was unable to sustain his Porsche-like move in the Derby and once again, the racing fans at Churchill were in stunned silence. The hopes for a triple crown winner were dashed, however, the burden put on Arazi was extreme. It would have taken a super horse to overcome everything he had been through. As time goes by, the memories of the disappointments fade and we can all watch our video of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and remember the excitement that Arazi generated as he thundered down the stretch to the call of Tom Durkin... "Here indeed is a SUPERSTAR!" and for that moment, he was. Good luck to him in Japan.