Finalists for the year-end Eclipse Awards honoring the champion thoroughbreds of 2003 were announced yesterday by the National Thoroughbred Racing Assn.

Voted on by members of the NTRA, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers Association, the winners will be named at the 33rd annual Eclipse dinner Jan. 26 in Hollywood, Fla., when Horse of the Year also will be announced.

Here are the finalists (three in each category, in alphabetical order, with the likely winner in CAPS):

2-Year-Old Male: ACTION THIS DAY, Birdstone, Cuvee

2-Year-Old Female: Ashado, HALFBRIDLED, Victory U.S.A.

3-Year-Old Male: Empire Maker, FUNNY CIDE, Ten Most Wanted

3-Year-Old Female: BIRD TOWN, Elloluv, Six Perfections

Older Male: Congaree, Medaglia d’Oro, MINESHAFT

Older Female: Adoration, AZERI, Sightseek

Sprinter: ALDEBERAN, Cajun Beat, Congaree

Male Turf Horse: HIGH CHAPARRAL, Johar, Storming Home

Female Turf Horse: Heat Haze, ISLINGTON, Six Perfections

Steeplechase: McDYNAMO, Pelagos, Praise the Prince

Owner: Edmund Gann, JUDDMONTE FARMS, Michael Gill

Breeder: Adena Springs/Stronach Entities, Flaxman Holdings & Niarchos Family, JUDDMONTE FARMS

Trainer: BOBBY FRANKEL, Richard Mandella, Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Edgar Prado, JERRY BAILEY, Patrick Valenzuela

Apprentice Jockey: EDDIE CASTRO, Pablo Fragoso, Ryan Fogelsonger