After La Troienne, Brown aiming Raging Sea, Randomized toward rematch in Phipps

LOUISVILLE, KY – Raging Sea and Randomized, who finished first and third respectively Friday at Churchill Downs in the Grade 1 La Troienne, will likely meet yet again later this spring in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga trainer Chad Brown confirmed on Saturday.

Brown said both mares came out of the La Troienne in good order. Raging Sea rallied from off the pace of Randomized to register a three-quarter-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile La Troienne for her second Grade 1 victory. She also captured the Personal Ensign, upsetting reigning Distaff champion Idiomatic, last summer at Saratoga.

Randomized set the pace before relinquishing command nearing midstretch to finish third, a head behind runner-up Taxed and less than a length behind the winner, in the La Troienne. Both Raging Sea and Randomized were returning from significant layoffs while making their 2025 debuts in the race.

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Randomized won the 2024 Phipps, also at the direct expense of runner-up Idiomatic, with Raging Sea finishing a non-threatening fourth in the nine furlong fixture.

“I thought both horses ran really well yesterday,” said Brown. “Randomized got a little tired late and our other horse was able to pick her up. Right now the plan is for both of them to meet again at Saratoga.”

One horse not likely to return quite as quickly is 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, who finished a very disappointing last of seven as the 1-5 favorite in the La Troienne. Thorpedo Anna was checked and jostled some into the first turn but recovered to sit a perfect trip off the pacesetting Randomized before coming up empty when set down for the stretch run by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Trainer Kenny McPeek posted Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Thorpedo Anna walked well that morning and the plan was to x-ray her ankles and knees then send her to Rood and Riddle for further examination by Dr. Larry Bramlage.

“The first turn incident may have thrown her off her game,” McPeek added. “Or maybe the three-week turnaround wasn’t my best choice. She showed no signs she couldn’t handle that. I’m more critical of myself than anyone. Regardless, she won’t be rushed back soon.”

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