Thorpedo Anna Seeks Redemption in the Fleur De Lis Stakes

Thorpedo Anna in the Churchill Downs paddock for the May 2 La Troienne (G1) Stakes

The beloved Thorpedo Anna returns to Churchill Downs this Saturday to seek redemption for her last-place finish in the La Troienne Stakes (G1). The 2024 Horse of the Year will take on a field of four other fillies and mares in the Fleur De Lis Stakes (G2).

Thorpedo Anna has been nothing short of exceptional. She won her first two starts and finished second in the Golden Rod (G2) as a juvenile, then kicked off her three-year-old season with a 4-length victory in the Fantasy Stakes (G2). She cemented herself as the standout of her crop and gender with a 4 3/4-length triumph in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), and followed that performance with Grade 1 wins in two of New York’s marquee races for sophomore fillies: the Acorn and the Coaching Club American Oaks.

When asked to face the boys, she delivered a powerful stretch run in the Travers Stakes (G1), coming just a head short of catching Eclipse Award winner Fierceness. That effort marked her only loss of the year. Having lost nothing in defeat, Thorpedo Anna rebounded with a gutsy win in the Cotillion (G1) and capped off her season with an effortless triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Her dominance carried over into the start of her four-year-old campaign. She returned in March with a 3 1/2-length win in the Azeri (G2), followed by a 4 1/4-length victory in the Apple Blossom (G1) in April.

But things didn’t go as expected on Kentucky Oaks Day 2025, just one day shy of the anniversary of her own Oaks victory. Thorpedo Anna was bumped around going into the first turn in the La Troienne (G1), and to the disbelief of fans, faded to last in the stretch.

Concerns about her condition immediately surfaced. Had she been injured in the scuffle? Was there an underlying issue? Though trainer Kenny McPeek noticed no obvious problems when she cooled out, he brought her to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on May 5 for a thorough evaluation. Dr. Larry Bramlage gave her a clean bill of health. With no injury or illness found, McPeek and fans alike had to wonder if the 20-day turnaround between the Apple Blossom and the La Troienne had simply been too much.

Now, with a 58-day break behind her, Thorpedo Anna will aim for her ninth graded stakes victory and a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She’ll take on Shawnee Stakes (G1) winner Royal Spa, recent allowance winner Save Time, Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) winner Gin Gin, and Black-Eyed Susan (G2) winner Taxed, who was runner-up in the La Troienne.

There’s no doubt that all eyes will be on Anna as she and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. approach the starting gate this Saturday.

[Video: Watch Thorpedo Anna win the Kentucky Oaks]

https://youtu.be/D4_aN8pgUVc?si=I8Cb7c7Kcd95bZUE

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