DRF Breeding sales editor Joe Nevills makes his selections for the 2016 Eclipse Awards in the form of haiku; a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five. Ballots for the Eclipse Awards are due Tuesday, Jan. 3, with the finalists being announced shortly thereafter. The awards will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Gulfstream Park. 2-Year-Old Male The lone wet blanket To snuff out Classic Empire Was his own antics 2-Year-Old Female No real standouts here Champagne Room took the big race That’s enough to clinch 3-Year-Old Male Hot ‘tater title Arrogate turned in the two Most impressive wins 3-Year-Old Female No photo to mull Songbird’s the best of her class By wide open lengths Older Dirt Male Number one from “go” And never gave up the spot California Chrome Older Dirt Female The last curtain call For a Hall of Fame career Bow to Beholder Male Sprinter Breeders’ Cup “what if?” But Lord Nelson’s resume Was already tight Female Sprinter Dart board division “Paula” danced enough big ones To give it to her Male Turf Horse Caught some buzzsaws late But his best was the best best Flintshire ends on top Female Turf Horse Tough luck in autumn Doesn’t spoil the whole campaign Tepin wins again Steeplechase Horse Saw more jai-alai Than races over the jumps So I will abstain Owner Belmont, BC wins Backed up by the bulk figures A vote for WinStar Trainer Made the most money And won the most graded stakes Chad Brown tops the list Breeder A 30-mare band Could produce three Eclipse wins Can’t deny Clearsky Jockey Most earnings – again Most graded stakes wins – again Javi wins – again Apprentice jockey Trio of stakes wins Good meets at Gulfstream, Laurel Give Luzzi the duke Horse of the Year Scary to ponder Chrome casts a longer shadow Than when he last won