Thorpedo Anna romps in 150th Kentucky Oaks

May 03, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Thorpedo Anna drew off to a convincing victory in Friday's 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, giving trainer Kenny McPeek his first win in the $1.5 million event for three-year-old fillies.

Co-owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, breeder Judy Hicks, and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna went off as the 4-1 second choice after touting herself in the build-up to the Oaks. The daughter of Fast Anna was coming off a sparkling victory in her sophomore debut in the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park, and she was even more dominant on the first Friday in May.

'I had been quoted repeatedly all week,' McPeek recalled his saying, 'They better bring a bear because I have got a Grizzly.

'It wasn't Babe Ruth calling a shot ‑‑ but maybe!'

Under regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., Thorpedo Anna vied in the opening strides before soon taking control on the sloppy track. When her nearest pursuer, Fiona's Magic, retreated, Ways and Means accosted her turning for home.

Thorpedo Anna swiftly rebuffed that bid from Ways and Means, only to have champion Just F Y I, the 7-2 favorite, offer a fresh challenge. But Thorpedo Anna had plenty left, and she just pulled away by 4 3/4 lengths.

Thorpedo Anna negotiated 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.83 and paid $10.98. Just F Y I was a clear second by three lengths from the rallying Regulatory Risk.

# 5 Thorpedo Anna takes the 150th Kentucky Oaks!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/7YfQcb1epS

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

Ways and Means faded to fourth, and Everland got up for fifth. Next came Power Squeeze, Into Champagne, Lemon Muffin, Tarifa, Where's My Ring, Our Pretty Woman, Gin Gin, Leslie's Rose, and Fiona's Magic. Tapit Jenallie and also-eligible Candied were scratched.

McPeek, who has placed second in the Oaks with such top-class fillies as Take Charge Lady (2002), Daddys Lil Darling (2017), and champion Swiss Skydiver (2020), will try to earn a similar breakthrough in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1) with Mystik Dan.

Thorpedo Anna is yet another bargain buy for McPeek, who's famous for sourcing future stars on a budget at the sales. The dark bay was purchased for just $40,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October, and she's now bankrolled $1,430,663 from a 4-for-5 career mark. Her only loss, a second in last fall's Golden Rod (G2) , came when wheeling back on short rest.

It's fitting that Thorpedo Anna prevailed in a sea of slop. Her name was inspired by co-owner Edwards' granddaughter, Anna Thorpe, who takes part in swim competitions.

Her last name is the same as Australia's Olympic swim champion Ian Thorpe, nicknamed 'Thorpedo,' so the sobriquet stuck with Anna as well. Once McPeek bought a filly by the stallion Fast Anna, the natural idea was for Edwards to dub her 'Thorpedo Anna.'