After a rocky start in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, Thorpedo Anna proved once again she relishes a challenge.
So does her trainer, Kenny McPeek.
Following her 4 ½-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile race – her third straight Grade 1 win – McPeek toyed with the idea of sending her against the boys in the meet’s premier race, the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 24. While the $600,000 Alabama (G1) on Aug. 17 would seem to be an easier spot, the trainer had higher hopes for the daughter of Fast Anna.
Thorpedo Anna. Coglianese Photo.
What’s next? Alabama or Travers against the boys
“If I run her in the Alabama, as a wagering prospect, it’s no fun for anybody,” McPeek said. “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. Whether it’s Genuine Risk or Winning Colors or Swiss [Skydiver] — I’ll look at the numbers and try to make an educated decision.
“I watched Dornoch today [in the Haskell] and he ran 1:50 and change — there’s not much separation there at least on time. It’s a good problem.”
After jumping up at the start, hitting the side of the gate and breaking last (of four) in the 1 1/8-mile race, jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. quickly righted Thorpedo Anna and she zipped into second behind Intricate, with the opening quarter going in 24.28 seconds. The filly was content to stay behind Leslie’s Rose down the backstretch, and when Hernandez asked her for more, she kicked into high gear and took command straightening for home and was never threatened.
Her winning time for the 9 furlongs was 1:50.95 as she extended her record to six wins in seven starts with earnings of $1,980,663 for her owners, Nader Alaail, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdelana Racing.
She returned $2.50 for a $2 win bet as she added the Oaks to her wins in the Acorn at the Spa on June 8, her triumph in the Kentucky Oaks on May 3, and her win in the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park to start her 2024 campaign. Her only loss came when second in the Goldenrod (G2) at Churchill Downs last November.
Candied was along for second, with Intricate another four lengths behind in third. Leslie’s Rose faded to fourth, and Barbratina was scratched.