Thorpedo Anna had no response on the final turn of the $650,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) and faded to fourth as 18-1 longshot Gin Gin led from the start and held off a charging Nitrogen by a head at Keeneland on Sunday.
The surprise finish was a thriller, even though it didn’t involve Thorpedo Anna, sent off as the overwhelming 1-2 favorite in the field of five fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles.
Ridden by Luis Saez, the 4-year-old Gin Gin ($38.64 on a $2 win bet) broke from gate 4 and set the pace after moving to the rail. Thorpedo Anna, with Flavien Prat aboard subbing for injured Brian Hernandez, Jr., pressed the quick pace from the rail.
With a half-mile to go, Thorpedo Anna began to lose ground as 3-year rising star Nitrogen moved up to challenge the top two. And then, the question was: Could Nitrogen run down Gin Gin in the stretch?
😲 #4 GIN GIN ($38.64) holds off Nitrogen in the @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup WAYI 🏆 $650,000 @JuddmonteFarms Spinster Stakes (G1) at @KeenelandRacing. This is the first Grade 1 win for the @CalumetFarm homebred filly by Hightail. @luissaezpty was aboard for @brenpwalsh. pic.twitter.com/LXdaNzh6KT
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 5, 2025
Almost. It took a photo to determine that Calumet Farm-owned Gin Gin won by a head – the margin looked more like a nose.
“You think they’re going a tick quick, but when she’s out on the lead like that, I knew they weren’t going to get by her without a fight, and that’s all we wanted him (Saez) to do, was give her her best chance, and he did,’’ trainer Brendan Walsh said. “Hats off to her. She’s very tough. At the end of the day, it’s down to her.”
The victory by Gin Gin, who finished fourth to Thorpedo Anna in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) on June 28, also provided the filly an all-fees paid, automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
As for the future of Thorpedo Anna, trainer Kenny McPeek said of his star with seven Grade 1 wins, including last year’s BC Distaff:
Thorpedo Anna update. Congratulations to Calumet Farm and Brendan Walsh on their Spinster victory. @keeneland pic.twitter.com/s2mDGNmm0N
— Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) October 5, 2025
“She’s taken us on some incredible highs the last two years. We’ve had an amazing journey with her,’’ McPeek said. “Horses are like a wave. You are trying to catch a big wave. Unfortunately, this is not a good day for her. We’re all disappointed. Not even going to think about Breeders’ Cup right now, uncharacteristic of her.”
“These things don’t last forever. No sure thing in this game. An old guy told me years ago ‘Win like you are used to it and lose like you like it.’ It’s a humbling business. They have good days and bad days. We are going to lose as gracefully as possible.”
Nitrogen, meanwhile, could be Breeders’ Cup bound.
“She was wide in the first turn, wide in the second turn. But she showed me what I needed to see. I thought we had it,’’ trainer Mark Casse said. “She wants a target, and the pace wasn’t fast enough. If she’s OK, we’re thinking the Breeders’ Cup, but I’ll have to talk to the Greens (owners Leonard and Jon Green).”
Winning time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.77.
Final Score ($4.82) delivered a gate-to-wire 1 ¼-length victory over Turf Star in the 1 1/16-mile, $400,000 Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) for 2-year-olds on the turf.
Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the Not This Time colt won in a time of 1:42.51 for a third straight win on turf.
The Bourbon was the final of eight Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In" races over the weekend at Keeneland. Final Score earned a fees-paid automatic berth in the BC Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
“He showed speed before but not this kind of speed,’’ Ortiz said. “I thought it was a little more speed than he would have in the race. I thought we were going to be right behind the speed, but he broke so good and put me in a good position without asking too much.
“I had talked to the trainer, and he said, ‘If he’s on the lead, fine; let him go.’’’
