Kentucky Oaks Alumni Update: Thorpedo Anna Makes 4-Year-Old Debut in Azeri

Mar 06, 2025 Sara Dacus/TwinSpires.com

Thorpedo Anna wins the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to John Gallagher)

Reigning Kentucky Oaks (G1) champion and 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna makes her four-year-old debut Saturday in Oaklawn’s Azeri S. (G2). Installed as the 2-5 program favorite, she faces six rivals.

The Azeri is the final local prep for the $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) on April 12, and Thorpedo Anna will likely stay at Oaklawn for it, but trainer Kenny McPeek hasn’t completely ruled out the Dubai World Cup (G1), a race that has never been won by a mare. The La Troienne S. (G1) on Kentucky Derby day is probable for her third start of the year.

The dark bay had a phenomenal sophomore season with six wins and one second-place finish from seven starts. It began with a four-length victory in the Fantasy S. (G2) at Oaklawn, vaulting her to the Kentucky Oaks.

# 5 Thorpedo Anna takes the 150th Kentucky Oaks!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/7YfQcb1epS

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 3, 2024

On the first Friday in May, she led at every point of call. Cruising to a 4 3/4-length victory, she gave McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez the first half of the Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby double. The duo secured the second half the following day with Mystik Dan. It was the first win in each classic for both horsemen and the first time a trainer had swept both races since 1952.

The Oaks was the first of six Grade 1 contests that comprised the rest of Thorpedo Anna’s three-year-old campaign. Next, she added two more daylight scores to her resume with the Acorn S. and the Coaching Club American Oaks, both held at Saratoga.

.@AshleyAnd502 caught up with Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the Kenny McPeek barn @fairgroundsnola.

Add to your Stable Alerts NOW ⬇️ https://t.co/pJk39DGDDD pic.twitter.com/FmQH7pygnU

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 18, 2025

McPeek decided she was talented enough for open company and entered her in the Travers S. He previously achieved success running a filly against the colts with Swiss Skydiver, who became the 2020 Preakness S. (G1) victress after outdueling Kentucky Derby winner Authentic.

In one of the most dramatic stakes finishes of 2024,  Thorpedo Anna engaged Fierceness, the unplaced Kentucky Derby favorite, in a stretch battle. But Fierceness held on for a narrow win, and she came up short by a head. Kentucky Derby second-pace finisher Sierra Leone was 1 3/4 lengths behind her.

Thorpedo Anna continues her big year with a dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff! ✨🏆🐻

pic.twitter.com/kfqgqoYOWR

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 2, 2024

In her final two starts of the year, she earned wins in the Cotillion S. and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where she easily took the field from gate to wire. These victories helped her secure the unanimous vote for Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, and she was also named Horse of the Year. She and Rachel Alexandra are the only three-year-old fillies who have been honored with the latter award.

After the Breeders’ Cup, Thorpedo Anna took a break at McPeek’s Kentucky farm before prepping for her four-year-old season with workouts at Gulfstream and Fair Grounds.

The Azeri S. headlines an 11-race card that begins at 12:30 pm CT. Probable post time for the Azeri, the 10th race, is 5:25.