Afleet Alex is honored

Afleet Alex, second in the Eclipse Award voting for male juvenile of 2004, has been named the Florida-bred male 2-year-old of the year. He topped a list of eight divisional winners announced Wednesday by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.

Afleet Alex, bred by John Martin Silvertand, won last year's Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes and Grade 2 Sanford Stakes before finishing second in the Champagne and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, both Grade 1. He finished the year with a record of 4-2-0 from 6 starts and earnings of $680,000.

Splendid Blended, winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet, was named the Florida-bred 2-year-old filly of the year. She was bred by her owner, Peter Vegso.

Southern Image, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap and Grade 1 Pimlico Special, was named champion older male, while Lady Tak earned the honor of top older female.

Three-year-old honors went to Limehouse as best colt and Hopelessly Devoted as champion filly. Midas Eyes was named best sprinter, and Star Over the Bay the top turf runner.

The winners will be honored at the association's awards dinner on March 20, at Hilton Ocala in Ocala, Fla. The Florida breeder, horse, stallion, and broodmare of the year will be announced that evening.