Kentucky-bred Thorpedo Anna continued her dominance of the sophomore filly division on Saturday, July 20, dominating her rivals in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga.
Trained by Ken McPeek for owners Nader Alaali, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna notched the third Grade 1 victory of her campaign after the taking the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in May and the Acorn Stakes (G1) last time out on June 7. The daughter of Fast Anna has won all four of her 2024 starts by a combined 18 ¾ lengths.
After hopping at the start, Thorpedo Anna collected herself and pressed Leslie’s Rose early. She waited patiently two lengths off the lead down the backstretch. Around the far turn, Thorpedo Anna unleashed an impressive turn of foot. She collared the pacesetter with ease and opened a clear advantage on her foes at the head of the lane. She cruised home a 4 ½-length winner.
“That’s the thing about horse racing—a lot can happen,” McPeek said of the start. “I’ve run heavy favorites and seen them go straight to their nose and the rider fall off. So, we’re lucky that didn’t happen. Brian (Hernandez) recovered real quick and fortunately the five didn’t get in the way and she was able to find a spot in there real quick.”
Hernandez, aboard for all seven of Thorpedo Anna’s starts, gave all the credit to his talented mount.
“She had her ears up and was looking around at the grandstand,” Hernandez said. “I was kind of looking out of the corner of my eye at the infield at the big screen to make sure no one was really making a run at her. She was just playing around and messing with me more than anything.”
Bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks, Thorpedo Anna was purchased for $40,000 at the F-T Fall Yearling Sale in October of 2022. After banking $275,000 in the CCA Oaks, she has now amassed earnings of $1,980,663.
Alabama or Travers Next for Thorpedo Anna
McPeek is considering the next target for his prized charge. The next logical stop for sophomore fillies at Saratoga is the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) on Aug. 17. Thorpedo Anna, however, may take on males in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 24, where she would likely face Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch.
“If I run her in the Alabama, as a wagering [prospect], it’s no fun for anybody,” McPeek shared. “Nobody is going to run against her and what would she be—1-2 or less? I like challenges. I’d be sticking my neck out a little bit, but I think the sport could really enjoy seeing a filly take on the colts. I’ll look at the numbers, look at them really hard and try to make an educated decision if I think we can run with them.”