Thorpedo Anna capped a sensational 3-year-old marketing campaign with an emphatic rating over older rivals within the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 2 at Del Mar. She led the best way gate-to-wire because the 2-5 favourite underneath jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. to land her fifth Grade 1 stakes victory of 2024.
As he stood amid the congratulatory chaos of the winner’s circle moments after Thorpedo Anna had gained Distaff, coach Kenny McPeek wanted a second for himself. The scene should have felt like sluggish movement as everybody round him basked within the filly’s success. McPeek introduced his proper thumb and index finger to his eyes, clearing the tears that had begun to construct up.
McPeek downplayed the feelings of the second. He may have mentioned it was the solar or grime in his eyes, however as a substitute, he chalked it up as a proud dad or mum second.
“Anytime you run a horse like her it is emotional,” McPeek mentioned.
For somebody who has accomplished as a lot as McPeek has on this sport — he is one in all 5 trainers to win all three Triple Crown races — there was nonetheless a obtrusive unchecked field on his resume. He had by no means earlier than gained a Breeders’ Cup race.
Earlier this 12 months, McPeek turned simply the third coach to drag off a Churchill Downs two-step, profitable the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna and the Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve with Mystik Dan.
McPeek had loads of close to misses. Seven seconds in Breeders’ Cup motion, six approaching the opening day of the world championships. 9 of his 10 third-place finishes additionally got here on Future Stars Friday.
“This can be a humbling enterprise,” he mentioned. “It is not one thing you possibly can ever count on. I used to be truly pleased with a variety of the seconds and thirds I would had on the Breeders Cup.”
Now, McPeek can take a look at his secure and know with confidence it’s house to arguably the largest star in Thoroughbred racing on any day of the week. With the Breeders’ Cup Distaff win, Thorpedo Anna is on the very least within the dialog for Horse of the 12 months.
Breaking from the second put up, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. took Thorpedo Anna straight to the entrance and dared anybody to maintain up along with her. Raging Sea and Flavien Prat confirmed positive type chasing Thorpedo Anna for a lot of the race inside a half a size by means of the opening three-quarters of a mile whereas Thorpedo Anna posted fractional instances of :23.81, :47.99, and 1:12.01. Driving the rail the entire approach, Hernandez gave Thorpedo Anna the inexperienced mild as they whipped across the remaining flip and commenced their march towards house. She then was in a position put distance between her and Raging Sea with a furlong left to the wire.
Thorpedo Anna finally crossed the wire first by a profitable margin of two 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:49.10. Raging Sea raced second all the best way. Candied completed third, Alice Verite was fourth, and Sugar Fish resulted in fifth. Thorpedo Anna paid $2.80 for a $2 win ticket.
The Distaff area misplaced a few of its stronger contenders earlier than the race when final 12 months’s winner and champion older grime feminine Idiomatic and undefeated Japanese shipper Superior Outcome each scratched.
Thorpedo Anna improved her report to 6-1-0 from seven begins this 12 months with $3,653,050 in earnings. For her profession, she is 8-2-0 from 10 begins with $3,843,663 within the financial institution.
McPeek mentioned the plan is to carry Thorpedo Anna again to race subsequent 12 months after she will get some well-deserved time without work from racing.
“We’ll take a look at all of the choices. We would not thoughts taking her to the Pegasus (World Cup at Gulfstream), Dubai (World Cup), Saudi (Cup),” McPeek mentioned. “We will preserve an in depth eye on the Basic right here as we speak and let’s have a look at that group of horses compete, see what else is on the market. She actually at this stage can match in opposition to any of them.”
