Thorpedo Anna scoring the BC Distaff. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
McPeek looks to reignite season with HoY Queen
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna will attempt to return to top form following a troubled seventh-place finish in the $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne (Grade I) when she leads four rivals entered in Saturday’s 50th running of the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII) at Churchill Downs.
Owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna was the heavy 2-5 La Troienne favorite but after being bumped repeatedly going into the first turn, she ultimately finished seventh.
“She got pinballed quite a bit going into that first turn,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “It looks like it took the breath out of her. That’s really all we could figure out that happened. Talking to Brian Hernandez Jr., he said she got hit pretty good. Any way you look at it, she didn’t run well. The best laid plans didn’t work out.
Champ & HOY Thorpedo Anna training w Robby Albarado aboard for @KennyMcPeek for Saturday's G2 Fleur de Lis on #ChurchillDowns' #StephenFoster card. (Missed her going by second time) pic.twitter.com/jPpGWx2RTz
— KyHBPA (@KyHBPA) June 26, 2025
“In the meantime, we’ve just sort of taken our time and it’s been nearly two months since her last run and we’re really optimistic she can get back to her top form.”
The 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna had a tremendous 3-year-old season capped by victories in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), Acorn (GI), Coaching Club American Oaks (GI), Cotillion (GI) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI).
Thorpedo Anna began her 2025 campaign with victories in the Azeri (GII) and Apple Blossom (GI) at Oaklawn prior to her disappointing effort in the La Troienne.
“It was obviously disappointing what transpired in the La Troienne but we’re really looking forward to her getting back to form in Saturday’s race,” Hernandez said. “She’s trained well since in the mornings and we know the caliber of horse she is.”
Thorpedo Anna has already had an interesting start to 2025. What lies in store for @KennyMcPeek’s runner @ChurchillDowns on Saturday?#TheGrizzly pic.twitter.com/Mv5ECbICVK
— Thorpedo Anna (@Thorpedo_Anna) June 25, 2025
The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis is one of six stakes contests on the spectacular 12-race program headlined by the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI) in Race 7.
The Fleur de Lis will go as Race 7 at 3:52 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m.
Aside from the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis, the program also will include the $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (GIII); $250,000 American Derby (Listed); and $250,000 Tepin (Listed).
The field for the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis
The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series where the winner will receive an all-entry fee paid berth to the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Stephen Foster day at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
