Prado, Nafzger head Hall of Fame class

Jockeys Edgar Prado and trainer Carl Nafzger, who had career highlights in recent years by capturing the Kentucky Derby, parlayed that success along with a glorious body of work in previous years to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame announced on Monday.

Prado and Nafzger were among three people and three horses who will make up the induction class of 2008. They will be joined by jockey Milo Valenzuela, and the horses Ancient Title, Inside Information, and Manila,

All six will be inducted at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 4, at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion.

Nafzger, Prado, Inside Information, and Manila were elected in the contemporary categories by a majority of the Hall of Fame's 184 voters. Ancient Title and Valenzuela were selected by the Hall's historic review committee, which considers jockeys, trainers, and horses who have been inactive for at least 25 years.

Both Nafzger and Prado appeared on the ballot for the first time. Nafzger was in a two-person race for trainer against Bob Wheeler, a legend in California. Prado outpolled both Alex Solis and Randy Romero.

Manila, a champion turf horse in the mid-1980s, finally got into the Hall in his 11th appearance on the final ballot. He beat out fellow male contemporary horses Best Pal and Tiznow.

Inside Information was on the ballot for the fourth time. She prevailed against an outstanding field of contemporary female horses, including Open Mind, Silverbulletday, and Sky Beauty.