Soaked and celebrating, trainer Ken McPeek was all smiles after watching Thorpedo Anna cruise through the slop for a dominating 4 ¾-length victory in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday.
“Special,’’ was McPeek’s first reaction as he finally won the Oaks after three second-place finishes and an 0-for-14 record in the premier race for 3-year-old fillies.
Trainer Ken McPeek ends 0-for-14 Oaks streak
“It’s just so amazing to finally win this race. We’ve been close for a long time but it’s a great feeling to get it done.”
Surprisingly, Thorpedo Anna under Brian Hernandez, Jr. moved to the front from post 5 in the field of 14. And the powerfully built daughter of Fast Anna could not be caught, not by Fiona’s Magic early, not by Ways and Means after three-quarters of a mile, and not by 7-2 favorite Just F Y I in the stretch.
Kenny McPeek – Photo Courtesy of Keeneland Park
In the leadup to the 150th Oaks, contested a day before the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1), McPeek was brimming with confidence. He said his rivals better “bring a bear because I’m bringing a grizzly.”
McPeek was right. Sent off as the second choice at 9-2, Thorpedo Anna paid $10.98 on a $2 win bet.
“I felt confident. She was out there and feeling comfortable,’’ Hernandez said. “It means so much to win it for this team. Kenny and his barn have done a lot for my career.”
McPeek said he chatted with Hernandez before the race and discussed their filly being fastest of all and taking the lead from the start was a good plan.
Thorpedo Anna Claims Victory in Rainy Day Race at the Oaks
Named for the granddaughter of co-owner Mark Edwards, Anna Thorpe (a competitive swimmer), Thorpedo Anna improved to 4-for-5 and moves to the head of the class in the 3-year-old filly division. The Thorpedo name comes from the Australian multiple Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Ian Thorpe (nicknamed Thorpedo).
Just F Y I, the 2-year-old champion trained by Bill Mott, finished second, with Regulatory Risk and Ways and Means, both trained by Chad Brown, third and fourth, respectively. Tarifa, who came into the race as the 5-1 second choice, never threatened and finished ninth.
The track was sloppy and sealed all day from Thursday rain and intermittent showers early Friday. The rain started again after the Oaks got underway. No matter. Thorpedo Anna was far and away the best, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.83.
McPeek and Hernandez now have a shot at the Oaks-Derby with Mystic Dan.
On the Oaks undercard:
$1 million La Troienne (G1): Idiomatic
Idiomatic, the 2023 champion older female, took charge in the stretch and won by 3 ¾ lengths in her 5-year-old debut. The win was the start of a successful day for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux.
“Great effort. I was hoping we’d either get the lead or track the outside horse. We found ourselves traveling in the inside position, which is not ideal,’’ Cox said. “There was a little concern when he (Geroux) started knuckling down on her a little bit, but she really responded. She cut the corner and kind of felt some of that pressure and kicked away.”
The 4-5 favorite returned $3.66 for the win.
$400,000 Unbridled Sidney (G3): Ova Charged
Ova Charged ($3.48) led from the outset and held on for a neck win over Secret Money in the 5 ½-furlong sprint on a yielding turf.
The win gave Geroux a second stakes win on the card. The 6-year-old Ova Charged won for the fifth time in a row and improved her record to 13 victories in 16 career starts.
$750,000 Alysheba (G2): First Mission
It was another win-win for the team of Cox-Geroux as First Mission took the lead from T O Saint Denis passing the eighth pole and won by four lengths.
First Mission ($4.14) covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.03 over a sloppy track. This win made it three in a row for Geroux. It was the fifth win in eight starts for First Mission,
$400,000 Modesty (G3): Fast as Flight
Fast as Flight, ridden by Jose Ortiz, took the lead from pacesetter Heavenly Sunday in the stretch and won by a length over Sparkle Blue in the 1 1/8-mile over a yielding turf.
Sent off at 20-1, the 6-year-old mare trained by Martin Drexler won her first graded stakes race while improving her record to 19-5-6-2. The winner paid $43.90.
$600,000 Eight Belles (G2): My Mane Squeeze
My Mane Squeeze ($15.84) took the lead in the stretch and went on for a two-length victory over Impel, with odds-on favorite Denim and Pearls a distant seventh.
Winning time for the 7-furlong race for 3-year-olds was 1:22.85 over a sloppy, sealed track.
The winner is trained by Mike Maker, and was ridden by Luis Saez.
$600,000 Edgewood (G2): Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic Power ($19.82) rallied past leader Way to Be Marie for a half-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies over a yielding turf.
The filly is trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.