Not to worry, Kenny McPeek.
Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna opened her 4-year-old campaign by seizing the lead just out of the starting gate and cruising to victory in the $400,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) on a rainy Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
McPeek, who trains the champion filly, wiped his brow in relief after Thorpedo Anna calmly dealt with a short delay before the start, a wet track, and four rivals for a three-length win over Free Like a Girl, who briefly challenged coming out of the final turn.
“He needed to let her get away [from post 1]. I was worried about the break a little bit there,’’ McPeek said. “Actually, I think the standing and backing out was good for her. That’s the pro she is and what she does.”
McPeek was referring to the pre-race delay. As the field loaded into the starting gate, Wild Bout Hilary reared up, turned around, and went to the ground. The rest of the horses were backed out for a few minutes before Wild Bout Hilary was walked off the track, apparently uninjured but scratched out of the race.
Once the gate opened, it was all Thorpedo Anna -- the 1-10 favorite -- who took charge from the rail and easily handled the brief challenge after Hernandez asked her to pick up the pace.
“With the one hole and her being the filly she is we knew we could put her into the race and let her do her thing,’’ Hernandez said. “She just showed her dominance once again. She’s once in a lifetime filly and she has kind of elevated all our careers.”
Thorpedo Anna ($2.20 for a $2 win bet) improved to nine victories and two seconds in 11 starts for earnings of $4,083,663. He lone loss in 2024 came against the boys in the Travers Stakes (G1) -- by a head to Fierceness. Her 3-year-old campaign included five Grade 1 wins, including the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Winning time for the 1 1/6 miles was 1:44.02.
Recharge was third, Alpine Princess fourth and Jody’s Pride fifth.
While McPeek said Thorpedo Anna was not in tiptop form, the plan is to return to Fair Grounds in New Orleans and begin to get ready for the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 12 at Oaklawn.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
