Grade 1 winners Idiot Proof, Lava Man, and Nashoba’s Key are finalists for the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s California-bred horse of the year award for 2007.

Idiot Proof won the 2007 Ancient Title Stakes (G1) and finished second in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), while Lava Man became a three-time winner of both the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (G1) and Nashoba’s Key scored in four graded stakes, including the Vanity Invitational Handicap (G1) and Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1).

The award recipient will be announced during the CTBA’s annual meeting and awards dinner on February 18 at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena.

Also at the dinner, breeder John Harris, trainer Mel Stute, jockey Russell Baze and champions Flying Paster and Decidedly will be inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame.

The business session begins at 5 p.m. PDT with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception and a 7 p.m. awards dinner. Chris Lincoln will be the master of ceremonies. For reservations, please contact Christy Chapman at 626-445-7800 ext: 247 or email at christy@ctba.com.

The other champions to be honored at the dinner:

Bertrando, champion sire of California-conceived foals by earnings; owned by Marty and Pam Wygod.

Tribal Rule, champion sire of California-conceived two-year-olds by earning; owned by Marty and Pam Wygod.

Swiss Yodeler, champion sire of California-conceived foals by number of winners; owned by Heinz Steinmann.

Decarchy, champion freshman sire of California-conceived foals by earnings; owned by Magali Farms.

Marty and Pam Wygod, champion breeders of California foaled Thoroughbreds by earnings.

Ed Moger Jr., outstanding trainer.

Georgie Boy, champion California-bred two-year-old male; bred by owner George Schwary, trained by Kathy Walsh.

Spring Awakening, champion California-bred two-year-old female; bred by Gerald Frankel, owned by Gerald Frankel, Robert Strauss and Michael Cain, trained by Mike Mitchell.

Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Male – “Idiot Proof,’ bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod, trained by Clifford Sise Jr.

Romance Is Diane, champion California-bred three-year-old female; bred by Swan Equine Service Co., owned by Senji Nishimura, trained by Mike Mitchell.

Lava Man, champion California-bred older male; bred by Lonnie Arterburn, Kim Kuhlmann & Eve Kuhlmann, owned by STD Racing Stable or Jason Wood, trained by Doug O’Neill.

Nashoba’s Key, champion California-bred older female; bred by Williamson Racing LLC, owned by Warren B. Williamson, trained by Carla Gaines.

Idiot Proof, Champion California-bred sprinter; bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod, trained by Clifford Sise Jr.