Thorpedo Anna ramps up preparations; possible for Azeri, Dubai World Cup
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Around eight hours after she was crowned 2024 Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna had her first official workout Friday morning at Gulfstream Park as she continues preparations for her 2025 campaign.
Around 5:45 a.m. on a rather dreary morning in South Florida, Thorpedo Anna went three furlongs in 35.75 seconds over Gulfstream’s main track, according to track clockers. Trainer Kenny McPeek said it was a good first step on the way to Thorpedo Anna’s 4-year-old debut which could happen in the Grade 2, $400,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 8.
“Great,” McPeek said. “She loves to work, she loves to train, she goes out there and thrives on it. She’s going to come together pretty quickly. She’s an easy one to get fit.”
McPeek noted that Thorpedo Anna had been galloping for several weeks and “we let her run through the lane last Saturday,” he said. “Today, she went a little farther on her own.”
McPeek said if Thorpedo Anna made the Azeri that would open up the possibility of going to Meydan for the Dubai World Cup on April 5.
“If she makes the Azeri great, if she doesn’t then we’ll point to the Apple Blossom,” McPeek said, referring to the Grade 1, $1.25 million stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 12. “If she were to make the Azeri and win it easy then we might consider Dubai.”
Thorpedo Anna was an overwhelming choice for Horse of the Year, receiving 193 of the 208 ballots cast. Sierra Leone (10) and Fierceness (5) were the other finalists. Thorpedo Anna was also a unanimous choice for 3-year-old filly champion, receiving all 208 votes cast.
Thorpedo Anna went 6 for 7 in 2024, with five Grade 1 stakes victories capped off by the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her lone defeat came by a head to Fierceness in the Travers.
“I think she deserved it. She’s done everything you ever asked her to do other than one tough beat. It’s been a real honor to be around her,” McPeek said.
“If you would have told me I’d go to Fasig-Tipton October and come up with a horse that was even a candidate for Horse of the Year, I’d been thrilled,” McPeek added. “And for her to actually do it . . . .
“We may be just getting started. I think she’s going to have a good year this year, sky’s the limit.”
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