Al Behrman / AP

Barbaro's trainer, Micheal Matz, is embraced by Barbaro's owner, Gretchen Jackson, as his horse is attended to after breaking his leg during the Preakness Stakes on May 20.

Steeplechaser, 4 & Up: McDynamo. He received our vote and is a likely consensus champion. Back to back Grade 1 victories in the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase and Colonial Cup sealed the deal.

Juvenile Colt: Street Sense. Our and a likely consensus champion. Not the most dominant profile we’ve ever seen, but highly favorably when compared to his peers and the winner of a showdown over the deepest field assembled this year or in any other renewal of the Juvenile one could name.

Juvenile Filly: Dreaming of Anna. Undefeated, untied and un-scored upon Breeders’ Cup heroine, she won on dirt and turf. If she is not a unanimous choice dissenters should have their voting privileges suspended.

Three Year Old Colt or Gelding: Bernardini. With Grade 1 victories in the Preakness, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup, he accomplished the most on the racetrack. Although Barbaro and Discreet Cat would not be undeserving, he is a likely consensus champion.

Three Year Old Filly: Wait a While. Traditionally a dirt category, dual Grade 1 winner Pine Island is the likely consensus champion. But Wait a While was dominant from coast to coast, winning at five different venues with two Grade 1 turf scores, including one over elders. Her 5-for-9 season included the Grade 2 Davona Dale and Grade 3 Sands Point on sloppy dirt.

Four Year Old & Up, Male: Invasor. The highly likely consensus choice for top handicapper and Horse of the Year. Four starts and four Grade 1 wins including the Breeders’ Cup. A Classic no-brainer.

Four Year Old & Up, Female: Fleet Indian. The probable consensus choice, she was perfect until she went wrong in the Distaff. Six wins in six pre-Distaff starts, four at 9 furlongs, two at 10, two Grade 1s.

Sprinter, Three Year Up & Up: Thor’s Echo. Closed with a rush in a late fall campaign that included the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and DeFrancis Memorial. A likely consensus choice despite strong support for Discreet Cat and Henny Hughes.

Turf Male, Three Year Old & Up: English Channel. Tempted to leave this category vacant for lack of a dominant performer at traditional route distances. English Channel is the lone three-time Grade 1 winner, winning in spring, summer and fall. With strong support for The Tin Man, milers Miesque’s Approval and Aragorn, and token respect for Showing Up and Red Rocks, we have no clue as to the identity of the eventual consensus champion.

Turf Female, Three Year Old & Up: Ouija Board. The remarkable horse of the world did what she needed to do at Churchill Downs. She is a likely consensus champion although there will be a modicum of support for American campaigner Gorella.

Horse of the Year: Barbaro. The likely consensus choice is Invasor but Barbaro was undefeated until his Preakness misstep. His aborted season will be called to mind whenever unforgettable thoroughbreds are named. Intelligent and tough far beyond the usual entitlements, he won a country’s affection by extending his battle far beyond the typical racetrack campaign. The recent mention of a possible stud career by his connections conjures up one word to describe this colt’s post-Preakness experience: ethereal.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher is the likely consensus choice as well. But Kieran McLaughlin and Michael Matz would be extremely worthy selections.

Jockey: Garrett Gomez was a prolific winner and dominant presence on every circuit he visited and often was the difference maker. Tough consensus call between Gomez and Edgar Prado.

Apprentice Jockey: Julien Leparoux. Remarkably worthy to win in a walk-over despite the presence of Anna Napravnik, Emma-Jayne Wilson, Martin Garcia and Jermaine Bridgmohan, perhaps the deepest freshman class ever.

Owners: The Lael Stables of Roy and Gretchen Jackson for campaigning brilliant thoroughbreds Barbaro and Showing Up but, of greater significance, for extreme generosity of spirit and treasure.

Breeder: E. Paul Robsham. For the mating of Forestry to Pretty Discreet that produced Discreet Cat, arguably the world’s most talented racehorse.

More news

Patrick Mcdermott / Getty Images

California board suspends O'Neill

Despite vigorously denying he gave one of his horses an illegal performance-enhancing mixture, trainer Doug O'Neill was suspended 45 days — a ban that won't take effect until after his superstar colt, I'll Have Another, tries to win the Triple Crown.

Mike Stewart / AP

Chasing the Crown

  Slideshow: I'll Have Another one win away from becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

Headlines

• Label

California board suspends O'Neill

Chasing the Crown

The first Triple Crown winner in 34 years?

TCI: Preakness recap and Belmont preview

I'll Have Another 'hard to pull up' in Belmont work

Union Rags breezes at Fair Hill for Belmont

Judge allows suspended jockey back in saddle

Bryant and Gasol's horse to run at Hollywood Park

Romans hopes Dullahan spoils Triple Crown bid

Analysis: I'll Have Another has a decent shot

It almost didn't happen for homesick Gutierrez

Bettor wins $71K-plus with Pick 9 at Arlington