Thorpedo Anna turns in bullet work ahead of Apple Blossom
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna put in a sharp work Monday at Oaklawn Park in advance of her appearance in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap on Saturday.
She is the 124-pound highweight for the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares.
Thorpedo Anna worked five furlongs in company in 1:00, which was the bullet move as of late morning. The drill came on a fast track on a sunny but crisp morning in the mid 40s.
Oaklawn clockers timed Thorpedo Anna, who was situated outside of her workmate, through an opening three furlongs in 36.40 seconds. The team hit the wire together and clockers timed Thorpedo Anna galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.60.
For the Apple Blossom, Thorpedo Anna drew post 6 in a field of seven. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount for trainer Kenny McPeek. Thorpedo Anna will spot her rivals between four and 12 pounds Saturday. She is picking up five pounds off her last start, which was a 3 1/2-length win in the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn to launch her 4-year-old campaign March 8.
The Apple Blossom field from the rail with riders and weights is: Sweet Alyssa, Ricardo Santana Jr. (114 pounds); Neom Beach, Erik Asmussen (115); Free Like a Girl, Julien Leparoux (120); Noble Miss, Isaac Castillo (112); Where’s My Ring, Francisco Arrieta (119); Thorpedo Anna, Hernandez (124); and Wild Bout Hilary, Ramon Vazquez (118).
Where’s My Ring enters in the Apple Blossom with the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 103 for her more than 12-length romp in first-level allowance route March 15 at Oaklawn.
The Apple Blossom will go as the 11th on a 12-race card that starts at 12:20 p.m. Central. It is one of two Grade 1 races at Oaklawn. The other is the Arkansas Derby.
◗ Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds Monday at Oaklawn in his second published work since January.
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