Sierra Leone, winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic in November, won 3-year-old male honors at the Eclipse Awards on Thursday night. Horse of the Year was to be announced later in the evening. Trained by Ken McPeek,

After losing the Kentucky Derby (G1) by a nose, it figured that Sierra Leone's drive for the 3-year-old male championship would come down to the final furlong of America's richest dirt race.

Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) worked four furlongs in :50.60 (40/53) for trainer Chad Brown at Payson Park Jan. 12, his second workout of the year.

Trained by Ken McPeek, she earned six Grade 1 victories last year, including the Kentucky Oaks, and finished second in the Travers to Fierceness.

Thorpedo Anna is in rarified air. The Kenny McPeek filly who dominated her division now has a new title, Horse of the Year. The Eclipse Awards are The Oscars of Horse Racing. The honor Horse of the Year is typically bestowed upon a male.

McPeek, who completed rare double of winning Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in same year, was not named top trainer during 54th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony.

The 3-year-old filly is crowned Horse of the Year while National Treasure (older male on dirt), Straight No Chaser (male sprinter) and Citizen Bull (2-year-old male) bring home championships.

HORSE RACING. Filly wins Horse of the Year honors. PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Thorpedo Anna won Horse of the Year honors at the Eclipse Awards on Thursday night, becoming only the second

During an evening celebrating excellence in North American Thoroughbred racing, a star filly, as expected, was the culminating focus of attention at the 54th annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards ceremony Jan.

Another sweet victory for Thorpedo Anna. This one comes off the racetrack and caps a dream season for the fabulous filly, who was the overwhelming choice for Horse of the Year.

Thorpedo Anna joins Rachel Alexandra as the only 3-year-old fillies to win the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year

Trained by Kenny McPeek, the Distaff heroine became only the second three-year-old filly after Rachel Alexandra in 2006 to defeat male opposition for top honours at the ceremony, which was held at the Breakers Palm Beach in Florida.