Thorpedo Anna Dug Deep to Add Another G1 Score at Saratoga

The champion had to battle all the way to the wire to turn back Dorth Vader in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1)

Down on the inside, Thorpedo Anna dug in with all her heart / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Kenny McPeek knew exactly what he had on his hands going into Saturday’s GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga, and the champion Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), last year’s Horse of the Year, did not let him down—though it took every ounce of her courage to prevail by the slimmest of margins in a dramatic stretch battle with Dorth Vader (Girvin)before a packed grandstand.

Nicknamed the “Grizzly Bear,” the bay secured an automatic berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 1 at Del Mar, where she will look to defend her 2024 title. Her résumé now boasts victories in the GI Kentucky Oaks, a Saratoga double in the GI DK Horse Acorn and GI CCA Oaks, the GI Cotillion, and a gallant runner-up finish—just a whisker behind Fierceness (City of Light)—in last year’s GI Travers.

McPeek was quick to credit the runner-up: “George did a great job, his filly ran terrific and she just keeps improving. She’s as tough as they come,” he said.

With Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, who has been in the saddle for all 15 of her starts, Thorpedo Anna broke alertly from post 7 and settled into third, tracking Randomized (Nyquist)—a dual Grade I winner—pressed by longshot Bernietakescharge (Take Charge Indy). Sitting just behind were Leslie’s Rose (Into Mischief), recent winner of the GII Shuvee, and Dorth Vader, well within striking range. Early splits went in :23.24 and :47.11 before Hernandez began to inch his mount into a perfect stalking position on the far turn.

McPeek later revealed his instructions: “I told Brian not to worry about being wide—I’d rather that than risk getting trapped on the rail.”

In the lane, Thorpedo Anna swept past Randomized with authority, but Dorth Vader came charging down the outside, setting up a heart-pounding duel. The two fillies went head-to-head all the way to the wire, and only the champion’s grit carried her nose in front, stopping the clock in 1:49.18 for the nine furlongs.

“This filly is Horse of the Year for a reason, and today she proved it again,” said Hernandez. “I just let her do her thing—she knew when to go, and she showed all the heart of a champion. This one means a lot.”

Nearly 10 lengths back, Leslie’s Rose held third, with defending winner Raging Sea (Curlin) completing the superfecta. They were followed by Dazzling Move, Randomized, and Bernietakescharge.

George Weaver, trainer of the runner-up, accepted the narrow defeat with class: “For a moment I thought we had it. When I saw the photo, I realized we’d been nailed. It was a huge effort, and Dorth Vader showed she belongs with the best. We’re looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup.”

McPeek now weighs the options for his star: either the GIII Delaware H. Sept. 28 or the GI Spinster S. Oct. 5 at Keeneland, the track where she debuted a winner last year.

Owned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards and breeder Judy Hicks, Thorpedo Anna has compiled a remarkable record of 12 wins and 2 seconds from 15 starts, with earnings exceeding $3.7 million. She is also a half-sister to McAfee (Cloud Computing), a multiple stakes-placed runner who competed later on the card in the Travers.