Zenyatta wins Horse of the Year

Oprah Winfrey called her one of the world's 20 most influential women, even though she has four legs. Zenyatta's perfection in her first 19 starts made her a drawing card that was featured on "60 Minutes.''

The California-based mare transcended racing and became a 24/7 magnet on Facebook and Twitter. The only honor that had eluded her was a Horse of the Year trophy, which Zenyatta received Monday at the 40th annual Eclipse Awards dinner in Miami Beach, Fla.

In 2009, she beat males at Santa Anita in the Breeders' Cup Classic. She missed a Classic repeat by a head behind Blame this past November at Churchill Downs. It was the only race she ever lost. But this time, Zenyatta beat Blame and won the prize she was denied when she was second the previous two years.

Zenyatta, who was trained by John Shirreffs, received 128 votes, to 102 for Blame and five for Goldikova, France's three-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner.

"She is one in a million,'' Zenyatta's co-owner, Jerry Moss, said. "We are just so thrilled for her."

His wife, Ann Moss, said: "You always hope. We hoped last year and the year before that. We're just so happy."

Voting by racing writers, broadcasters, executives and the Daily Racing Form staff produced no surprises in the other categories. Zenyatta (older female); Blame (older male); Goldikova (female turf); Lookin At Lucky (3-year-old male); Blind Luck (3-year-old filly) all were overwhelming choices. So were two undefeated 2-year-olds - the colt Uncle Mo and the filly Awesome Feather.

Muttontown resident Michael Repole owns Uncle Mo. He's the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, which his trainer, Todd Pletcher, won for the first time last year with Super Saver.

Pletcher, who earned his fifth Eclipse, sent Uncle Mo to Florida, where he is scheduled to make his 2011 debut March 12 in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Other winners were Gio Ponti (male turf); Big Drama (male sprinter); Dubai Majesty (female sprinter); Slip Away (steeplechase). Jockey Ramon Dominguez picked up his first Eclipse, and Omar Moreno was the top apprentice. WinStar Farm, which had Super Saver and Belmont winner Drosselmeyer, was leading owner, and Adena Springs the top breeder.