Thorpedo Anna worked in company earlier in the week. (Coady Media/Churchill Downs)
Where’s My Ring took care of business relatively early Thursday morning
Longines Kentucky Oaks Update/Edited
Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing’s Thorpedo Anna went out Thursday morning for a gallop with her Oaks rider, Brian Hernandez Jr.
After two days of advance wagering, the easy winner of the Fantasy (GII) at Oaklawn Park is the 2-1 favorite.
“She galloped a mile-and-a-half, the usual stuff,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, who was one of several trainers on hand Wednesday night at the Davenport Derby Dash to support Bellarmine University Basketball.
Thorpedo Anna, winner of three of her four career starts with Hernandez, drew post 5 for the Oaks.
Wednesday morning the Fast Anna filly has a gallop with another jockey that trainer Kenny McPeek regularly calls on, Robby Albarado.
“The filly galloped a mile-and-a-half, and stood in the gate, too,” McPeek said.
Thorpedo Anna, winner of three of her four career starts including the Fantasy Stakes (GII) at Oaklawn Park, drew the No. 5 post for the Oaks. The filly, who will have jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, was bet down to the 5-2 favorite after Tuesday’s advance wagering.
Michael McMillan’s Gazelle (GIII) winner Where’s My Ring took care of business relatively early Thursday morning, going trackside with exercise rider David Rodriguez up at 6:20 for a two-mile jog around the big oval.
Trainer Val Brinkerhoff took the filly to the track, then watched her stretch her legs from the clocker’s stand on the backside. They were back at Barn 30 shortly thereafter.
“We got her out early today to beat the heat (it has been in the 80s in Louisville of late),” Brinkerhoff said. “She’s as ready as she can be. We’re just hoping for a good trip tomorrow.”
The Twirling Candy filly will break from post 2 in the 14-horse Oaks lineup with veteran rider Jose Lezcano once again at the controls.
Trainer Brinkerhoff had a good problem on his hands Wednesday morning. Where’s My Ring was scheduled to stretch her legs under exercise rider David Rodriguez; just something simple was the plan.
“She’s feelin’ good though, real good,” Brinkerhoff said. “I was just going to jog her around there one time, but now I might have to gallop her one, too.”
The well-made daughter of Twirling Candy did just that during the special 7:30-7:45 training session for Oaks and Derby horses, proving to be part of the show put on for a large crowd on a sunny morning.
Michael McMillan, the filly’s owner, was on hand for the activities.
“She’s the first horse I ever bought,” the Las Vegas resident said. “It’s exciting being with her and coming up to a big race like the Oaks.”
McMillan, whose business is medical billing, was living in Del Mar out in California and found himself going to the racetrack there looking for entertainment. He discovered that he and his family liked it and they decided to become involved. Now he owns eight horses on his own and shares parts of several others.
“I just bought a home here in Simpsonville,” he said. “We’re going to shift our emphasis to Kentucky and race here. The purses are amazing, and Val (Brinkerhoff) and I are going to set up shop.”
Where’s My Ring gave him a taste of big-time success last out when she captured the Gazelle (GIII) in New York and earned Kentucky Oaks points. Now New York rider JoseLezcano will be back aboard the filly Friday as they take a big-time swing at the $1.5 million purse in the 150th Kentucky Oaks.
The 150th Longines Kentucky Oaks Field
