Thorpedo Anna Dominates in Breeders' Cup Distaff
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
As he stood amid the congratulatory chaos of the winner's circle moments after Thorpedo Anna had won the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar, Kenny McPeek needed a moment for himself. In what might have felt like slow motion as everyone around him basked in the filly's success, the trainer brought his right thumb and index finger to his eyes, clearing the tears that had begun to build.
McPeek could have said it was the sun or dirt in his eyes, but instead, he chalked it up as a result of his trainee running. Might as well have been a proud parent moment.
"Anytime you run a horse like her it's emotional," McPeek said as he exited the winner's circle after his 3-year-old filly put the icing on a divisional championship and put herself into strong consideration for Horse of the Year.
For someone who has done as much as McPeek in this sport—he's one of five living trainers to win all three Triple Crown races—there was still a glaring unchecked box on his résumé. Resolving that missing piece with a Breeders' Cup win that followed seven runner-up finishes in the event crowned what would be a surreal year for anyone.
Earlier this year, McPeek became just the third trainer to pull off a Churchill Downs two-step in the same year, winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Thorpedo Anna and the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Mystik Dan .
"This is a humbling business," he said. "It's not something you can ever expect. I was actually proud of a lot of the seconds and thirds I'd had at the Breeders Cup because we've done it many ways with modest money. Never had huge money. As a matter of fact, we were pretty well outspent by most of the players. But we run well, that's all you can do."
Sherri and Kenny McPeek in the winner’s circle after Thorpedo Anna's Distaff victory
Case in point, McPeek, serving as agent, purchased Thorpedo Anna for $40,000 out of the Grovendale Sales consignment at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
McPeek had plenty of near misses. Seven seconds in Breeders' Cup action, six coming in races for juveniles or juvenile fillies. Nine of his 10 third-place Breeders' Cup finishes also came in races for 2-year-olds. Now, McPeek can look at his stable and know it is home to one of the biggest stars in Thoroughbred racing.
On Target
Despite the Distaff field having some of the stronger contenders not making it to the gate, notably last year's winner and champion older dirt female Idiomatic who was removed at the pre-entry stage, and undefeated Japan standout Awesome Result , who was removed from the race Saturday morning, Thorpedo Anna still had to go out and execute.
Breaking from the second post, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. took Thorpedo Anna straight to the front, daring anyone to keep up with her speed, as the 3-year-old daughter of Fast Anna cruised through comfortable fractions of :23.81, :47.99, and 1:12.01.
Ahead of the race trainer Chad Brown said his runner and second wagering choice, Raging Sea , would need a horse to take the fight to Thorpedo Anna and hope to create an opening. With no horse filling that role, Flavien Prat kept Raging Sea close to the early pace. The daughter of Curlin , who closed from 11 lengths back to win this year's Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), on this day stayed within a half-length through the opening six furlongs while Thorpedo Anna showed the way.
Riding along the rail the whole way, Hernandez gave Thorpedo Anna the green light as they whipped around the final turn and began their march toward home. The dark bay or brown filly opened two lengths on Raging Sea in midstretch and cruised home to win by 2 1/2 lengths. She completed the 1 1/8-mile test for fillies and mares in 1:49.10.
Hernandez said having a rival so close didn't faze Thorpedo Anna and he was confident the stretch ride would be smooth.
"We got to the second turn, I was able to see the nose of Raging Sea there, knowing that was probably the horse to beat," Hernandez said. "For her to make a run at us that early, and not get to me, put more confidence in myself going around the turn. She turned for home, and she showed her dominance."
Raging Sea held second, followed by Candied , Alice Verite , Sugar Fish , Che Evasora , and Honor D Lady . Thorpedo Anna paid $2.80 for a $2 win ticket.
"When she runs, I expect her to win," said co-owner Mark Edwards. "Obviously, it's a horse race and that doesn't always happen. Boy, she is so special. She's such a treat to be around. She's feisty and she's fast."
Bred by co-owner Judy Hicks and also owned by Brookdale Racing and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek), Thorpedo Anna improves to 6-1-0 from seven starts this year with $3,653,050 in earnings. For her career, she is 8-2-0 from 10 starts with $3,843,663 in the bank.
Thorpedo Anna with Brian Hernandez Jr. before the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar
What's Next?
McPeek said the plan is to bring Thorpedo Anna back next year. While she will get some well-deserved rest from racing, he will start to formulate a plan for his star student. The first step in that process is getting her checked out once she returns to Kentucky. Then McPeek wants to evaluate what the bigger picture looks like following the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
He said running in the Jan. 25, 2025, Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park against males or taking Thorpedo Anna overseas are both options.
"We wouldn't mind taking her to the Pegasus, Dubai, Saudi," McPeek said. "We're going to keep a close eye on the Classic here today and let's see that group of horses compete, see what else is out there. She certainly at this stage can fit against any of them."