Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna made short work of her rivals in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park. The win marked the fourth consecutive victory for Thorpedo Anna since a runner-up finish against males in last year’s Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
Ridden by her regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., Thorpedo Anna broke a step slow in the 1 1/16-mile test. She quickly took up a prominent position, however, stalking the early pace of Wild Bout Hilary. Thorpedo Anna prompted the leader while in hand up the backstretch and moved at will to the pacesetter on the far turn. In dominating fashion, she shook clear of her foes into the lane and crossed the finish 4 ¼ lengths ahead of second-place finisher Free Like a Girl, stopping the clock in 1:44.27.
Thorpedo Anna Targeting G1 La Troienne
Thorpedo Anna is 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna out of the Uncle Mo mare Sataves. She is owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Magdalena Racing, and her breeder, Judy Hicks. Winning trainer Ken McPeek acquired Thorpedo Anna for $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale in 2022. Following her latest victory, Thorpedo Anna, an emphatic winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), has banked $4,814,913.
McPeek indicated that his prized charge is being pointed toward the $1 million La Troienne Stakes (G1). That Grade 1 event is slated for Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs on May 2.
“Just really proud of her, as always,” McPeek noted on FanDuel TV. “She’s going to come right back in the La Troienne Stakes in three weeks. We think we’ve got her in good-enough shape. That’s the plan.”