‘And for the Best Supporting Role ... ‘

If a Laker player said Kobe Bryant was carrying the team these days, he would be speaking figuratively.

But when Emma-Jayne Wilson was named “outstanding apprentice jockey” at Monday night’s Eclipse Awards, she was speaking literally when she said, “I want to thank the horses for carrying me.”

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Trivia time: When the first Eclipse Awards were presented in 1971, who won the award for “outstanding jockey”? This person won the honor four more times.

Wonders never cease: When his horse, Stevie Wonderboy, won the Eclipse Award as “champion 2-year-old male,” owner Merv Griffin said, “I think I’ll name my next horse Stevie Wonder Bread.”

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Turn down the volume: Griffin was at Santa Anita for Stevie Wonderboy’s loss in the San Rafael Stakes on Jan. 14. That day he was wearing a white suit and bright yellow tie.

Just before the race, he said something to track publicity director Mike Willman, who replied, “Sorry, Merv, I couldn’t hear you. Your tie is too loud.”

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The right choice: Griffin, who readily admits to being 80, passed out the Eclipse Awards on Monday night for “champion older female” and “champion older male.”

“Now why did they pick me to present these two awards?” Griffin wondered.

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It can get confusing: Griffin, an entertainment mogul who is the creator of such shows as “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy,” is also a real estate entrepreneur. Over the years, his many properties included the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which he sold in 2003.

This year’s Eclipse Awards were held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

“Let’s see, do I still own this hotel?” Griffin asked.

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A slight difference: TVG’s Frank Lyons, reading off a TelePrompTer, announced to the gathering that 111-year-old racing fan Margaret Wilson of Cleveland was supposed to be there but couldn’t make it.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Lyons said. “I thought it said, ‘She is 111. It says, ‘She is ill.’ ”

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Logical question: When a clip of horse-of-the-year finalist Lost In The Fog was shown, someone in the audience asked, “Is that horse named after Al Davis?”

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Looking back: On this day in 1987, the New York Giants won the Super Bowl at the Rose Bowl, defeating the Denver Broncos, 39-20. The Giants, trailing 10-9 at halftime, scored 30 points in the second half to set a Super Bowl record. Phil Simms completed a record 10 consecutive passes and 22 of 25 overall.

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Trivia answer: Laffit Pincay.

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And finally: Actor Jerry O’Connell, from the TV series “Crossing Jordan,” was the master of ceremonies at the Eclipse Awards. O’Connell noted that retired jockeys Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens have been hired as television commentators.

“When they were riding, they were always criticizing trainers,” O’Connell said. “Let’s see what they have to say now.”

Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.