Thorpedo Anna enters Saturday’s $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) carrying not only her stellar reputation as reigning Horse of the Year – along with a hefty $4 million bankroll - but a high weight of 124 pounds as she faces six older fillies and mares in the 1 1/16-mile race at Oaklawn Park.
To be sure, the 4-year-old trained by Kenny McPeek did tote 126 pounds as she eked out a narrow victory over a 44-1 shot in the Cotillion (G1) last September, but she was sharing co-high weight with Power Squeeze in giving from two to six pounds to their rivals.
Saturday, she picks up five pounds from her season-opening win in the Azeri (G2) in March, and as the 2-5 morning-line favorite is giving from four to 12 pounds to her less-accomplished foes.
Does it make her vulnerable? Likely not against this field or, if her recent works are any indication.
Thorpedo Anna breezed 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:00.00 in company with stablemate Honest Al, the fastest of 17 at the distance. Prior to that, she worked the same distance in 1:01.00 (second-fastest of 19) on March 31 and, coming out of the Cotillion, lolloped a half-mile in 48.60.
Her closest competitor in the Apple Blossom is Where’s My Ring, who enters off a 12 ¾-length win in an optional claimer at Oaklawn that earned her a somewhat startling 116 Equibase speed figure and positioned her as the 5-2 second choice.
Also entered were the 6-year-old Free Like a Girl, who finished second to Thorpedo Anna in the Azeri and is making her 50th career start, and longshots Wild Bout Hilary, Sweet Alyssa, Neom Beach, and Noble Miss.
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