Thorpedo Anna put to rest any lingering doubts about her talents as a 4-year-old June 28, thundering to her seventh stakes score in the $498,500 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Even before the daughter of Fast Anna's victory Saturday, breeder and co-owner Judy Hicks had said the filly's accomplishments—a Horse of the Year accolade in 2024—had already given her and her partners the thrill of a lifetime. However, seeing her star athlete return to the winner's circle brought tears to Hicks' eyes.
"She was perfect; she's back. So let the media say what they may," Hicks said.
"I never imagined having a filly that would mean so much to me because my day in and day out, I raise fillies. And all of a sudden a filly became so important—I haven't changed my daily routine—she has just added dimension to my life that I never thought possible and I'm trying to just take it in day by day."
Thorpedo Anna's indomitable spirit undoubtedly came from her dam, Sataves, a "miracle mare" given to Hicks for free following her premature birth. Born with a crushed hock and underdeveloped lungs, Sataves' will to live and endless fight resurfaced in Thorpedo Anna's extraordinary feats on the racetrack.
Returning to the site of her disappointing La Troienne Stakes (G1) effort, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. could feel things would be different—for the better—as soon as the gates opened.
"That first jump when she left cleanly and was there, I was like, 'Alright, we're fine from this point,'" Hernandez said.
The pair latched onto the pacesetting Royal Spa, running just a half-length behind the Shawnee Stakes (G3) winner through early fractions of :23.43 and :47.07.
WATCH: Hernandez on Thorpedo Anna's Fleur de Lis Victory
"It almost felt like we were out there in the middle of a work more than anything. I just wanted to stay out of her way and keep her in her nice rhythm," Hernandez said. "We turned for home, just let her out a notch, and off she went."
With the loaded gun suddenly discharged, Thorpedo Anna struck the front at the top of the stretch. Royal Spa eyeballed Thorpedo Anna and dug in with all she had but couldn't stay with the champion, who streaked clear to a thunderous roar of applause from the Churchill grandstand.
"We took on the 'bear' and we lost," said Rodolphe Brisset, trainer of runner-up Royal Spa.
Taxed, second in the La Troienne last time out, completed the trifecta in third.
Thorpedo Anna ($2.70) crossed the wire three lengths in front in a final time of 1:48.52 for the 1 1/8 miles.
Trainer Kenny McPeek, sporting a fresh tattoo paying homage to the accomplishments of his infamous 2024 Kentucky Derby/Oaks double with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna under his suit jacket, could only scratch his head at the La Troienne performance and focus on the campaign to come.
"I'm 90% sure that the mugging she got into the first turn was all the reason why she didn't perform (in the La Troienne). It's a toss," McPeek said.
"We've got three races before the year's out. Right now the Personal Ensign might be it, there's a good chance she'll be up at Saratoga."
The ultimate goal, however, is a return trip to defend her title in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). With Thorpedo Anna's win in the Fleur de Lis, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, the filly earned an automatic slot into the Del Mar starting gate Nov. 1.
Owned in partnership by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Magdalena Racing, and Hicks, Thorpedo Anna—along with Mystik Dan—will be shown to the public at the trainer's Magdalena Farm near Lexington the evening of July 7, McPeek announced.
