Thorpedo Anna Romps Away With Fantasy In Season Bow

Scoring an authoritative win in her season debut, Thorpedo Anna went three-wide into the stretch, then easily dispatched rivals en route to victory over West Omaha in the $750,000 Fantasy (G2) Saturday at Oaklawn.

Thorpedo Anna returned $7.40 with her four-length triumph in 1:44.74 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Tapit Jenallie finished third, 3 1/4 lengths behind West Omaha. All Things Go was up for fourth and Recharge was fifth in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies.

The Fantasy is the nation’s richest Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep and provided 200 qualifying points to the top five finishers for the May 3 contest, with Thorpedo Anna garnering 100 points. 

Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. for trainer Kenny McPeek, Thorpedo Anna broke from the far outside post and scurried up to vie for the early lead with Sunland Oaks victress Recharge and runner-up Candy Aisle. Recharge asserted herself into the turn and clocked the :23.45 and :47.90 through the first half mile while Hernandez took up a stalking trip from third.

Thorpedo Anna took closer order nearing the far turn and unleashed a determined rally approaching home turn with West Omaha in pursuit. The daughter of Fast Anna willingly drew off to the dominant victory, her first in a stakes, in the matter of few powerful strides.

Thorpedo Anna won her first two starts last fall at Keeneland and Churchill Downs, respectively, but she was unraced since a runner-up finish in the Golden Rod (G2) Nov. 25 at at the Louisville track because of a minor hip issue. The Golden Rod was her two-turn debut.

Thorpedo Anna is campaigned by Brookdale Racing Inc., Mark Edwards, breeder Judy Hicks, and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing. She was bred In Kentucky from the Uncle Mo mare Sataves.