As perhaps the best three-year old horse in training, what could the Cotillion Stakes at PARX do for a fleet-footed filly named Thorpedo Anna? If you saw this grade 1 duel over the Pennsylvania dirt on September 21, you understand the benefits it can bear as the Breeders’ Cup rapidly approaches.
Since the calendar turned to 2024, Thorpedo Anna has been nothing but brilliant. Coming into the Cotillion, this Kenny McPeek conditioned star had dominated her division. Four decisive graded stakes wins against her fellow females (Fantasy, Kentucky Oaks, Acorn, Coaching Club American Oaks) and a narrow defeat against the boys in the Travers Stakes has proven she is one of the more special specimens in the game today. But, as is the case with any athlete, each outing presents a new test and yesterday’s answers mean little today.
Having had little trouble in the runs against the fillies with an average margin of victory at four and a half lengths, some wondered how Anna would respond if seriously challenged in the stretch. The $1 million Cotillion answered all those questions and then some.
Breaking from post six in an eight horse field, this daughter of Fast Anna stalked a very moderate pace (23.94 opening quarter, 48.01 half mile) in ground-saving fashion. As regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. guided her to the rail, Anna’s opposition surrounded this powerful striding phenom. Turning for home, Thorpedo Anna was still trailing with no place to run. As the wire drew ever closer in this mile and a sixteenth tussle, Hernandez Jr found a seam and booted his charge to within striking distance. Coming alongside a very game Gun Song, Thorpedo Anna found a way to get by and score by a neck.
“No grade 1 race is ever easy,” says a relieved Kenny McPeek. “We were not surprised by the difficulty this field presented because PARX is a tough place to win. Gun Song had won a prep race there so we knew she would be tough. Being able to come away with a win when everything was working against her in the race tells us she is just that good.”
Being challenged in a big way can only be beneficial as Thorpedo Anna focuses on the next challenge. The Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar will feature lots of talent from both her own division and the older fillies and mares. Now having a tested nose for the wire, this granddaughter of Uncle Mo is no doubt one of the prime contenders in the $2 million Distaff on November 2.
“We are beyond proud of what Thorpedo Anna has accomplished this year.”, says McPeek. “We think everything is coming together for a big run at the Breeders’ Cup.”
