Thorpedo Anna overcomes adversity and romps in the CCA Oaks (NYRA/Coglianese)
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Trainer Kenny McPeek has seen several fillies he has trained become fan favorites, especially the multiple Grade 1-winner Swiss Skydiver, who beat the boys in the 2020 Grade 1 Preakness after winning Saratoga Race Course’s Grade 1 Alabama.
Four years later, it is the imposing Thorpedo Anna who has captured both the hearts of race fans and three consecutive Grade 1 victories after romping in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, a nine-furlong route for sophomore fillies, at the Spa.
Thorpedo Anna is the undisputed leader of her division after her scintillating scores in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in May at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 DK Horse Acorn in June during the Spa’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival en route to the CCA Oaks.
Thorpedo Anna arrived in Saratoga on May 23 and has since trained regularly over the Oklahoma training track. Following her Acorn score, McPeek posted on the social media platform X, “She will stay at Saratoga and train on Oklahoma side before 6am daily. The Whitney Stand is a great place to watch for her. We will be backing her up to that Stand every day she trains. I’ll get her a saddle towel with her name. Danny Ramsey gallops her daily.”
The Spa racing fans have continued to follow the talented filly and they will have enjoyed nearly three months of up-close-and-personal time with Thorpedo Anna by the time of her next start in what might be her first outing against males in the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 24.
“It’s a real honor to be around a horse like that,” said McPeek. “Every trainer ought to hope to train one like her. She’s pretty easy, and she’s just so talented. I think the sport always gravitates towards the good horses, and she’s like a magnet bringing a lot of people to the game.”
Thorpedo Anna was a facile winner of the CCA Oaks despite a difficult beginning when hopping at the start in post 2-of-4 and hitting the gate to break slowest behind the sharp Leslie’s Rose. Regular pilot Brian Hernandez, Jr. did not panic, and let his charge use her athleticism to recover well and split rivals to stalk in second onto the backstretch.
Leslie’s Rose put daylight between her and Thorpedo Anna down the backside, but Hernandez, Jr. made a slight adjustment of his hands and his charge needed just a few strides to rapidly close upon the pacesetter and take command exiting the turn. She drew clear under confident handling with Hernandez, Jr. flagging the crop on her right side and riding through the wire to complete the course in 1:50.95. The 4 1/2-length triumph was awarded a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
“She’s all good,” said McPeek. “She just breathes rare air. The awkward break was nerve wracking, but not terrible. When you saw she was coming to her [Leslie’s Rose] with little effort, you thought she had a good chance. It was great.”
Now, McPeek faces the decision of whether to keep his star filly in a division she dominates in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales on August 17, or to test her mettle against males in the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers one week later.
McPeek said he is fine with taking some time to make a well-thought-out decision.
“We’re contemplating all the details,” said McPeek. “We’re working through all of it.”
Bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks, Thorpedo Anna has proven well beyond worth her frugal purchase price of $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, now sporting $1,980,663 in total purse earnings. Her resume also includes a win in the Grade 2 Fantasy in March at Oaklawn Park, making her perfect in four outings this year.
