With a closing surge to the end line, champion Thorpedo Anna held off a driving Dorth Vader by a nostril and gained the $500,000 Private Ensign Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
Thorpedo Anna, the reigning Horse of the 12 months, gained a fees-paid computerized berth into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1, a race she gained final yr.
The victory got here in Thorpedo Anna’s return to the races in Saratoga a yr and a day after she took on the boys and was crushed a nostril by Fierceness within the Travers Stakes (G1).
“For her to return again to Saratoga in entrance of all these followers (and win), it means every part,’’ successful jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., stated.
“She confirmed the center of a champion down the lane to carry Dorth Vader off and be capable of get her nostril down on the wire. It’s why she’s Horse of the 12 months.”
The 1 1/8-mile Private Ensign, probably the most prestigious races within the nation for fillies and mares, was the primary of 5 Grade 1 stakes on Travers Day on the Spa, with the 156th Travers that includes Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty.
Thorpedo Anna, educated by Kenny McPeek, gained for the fourth time in 5 begins in her 4-year-old marketing campaign, with earlier wins within the Azeri Stakes (G2) and the Apple Blossom (G1), adopted by an surprising seventh within the La Troienne Stakes (G1) and one other win within the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2).
On Saturday, the winner was unsure till the ultimate bob. Thorpedo Anna raced three large in third place behind Randomized and Bernietakescharge. After which Hernandez thought it was time get rolling on the quarter pole, slightly sooner than common.
“We moved slightly early as a result of the horse on the within (Randomized), we thought she’d die out fairly shortly, so I didn’t wish to get frolicked large across the second flip.
“Understanding simply how good of a mare she is, I let her creep up in a short time and when she threw her ears up, she bought very comfy. And I believe making that transfer made gave her slightly breather, which helped her deep down the lane and in a position to maintain on.”
Simply barely.
Dorth Vader, ridden by Corridor of Famer John Velazquez, was closing with each stride and the 2 dueled within the closing strides, going nostril to nostril earlier than Thorpedo Anna bought her nostril down first on the wire.
“I’m actually proud she bought it performed right this moment,’’ stated McPeek, “although it was tight.”
Despatched off because the 3-4 favourite within the discipline of seven, Thorpedo Anna ($3.50 on a $2 win wager) coated the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.18. Dorth Vader was 11-1. Leslie’s Rose, Raging Sea, Dazzling Transfer, Randomized and Bernietakescharge.
George Weaver, who trains Dorth Vader, thought his filly could have gotten the successful bob.
“I really thought she bought her nostril down and gained. After they threw the photograph up and I watched the replay, I believed, ‘oh no, we bought nosed,’ ‘’ stated Weaver. “It was an important race. Sadly, I’m on the shedding finish of the photograph however all in all, I believe Dorth Vader validated her standing on this division and we’re wanting ahead to going to the Breeders’ Cup.”
As for Thorpedo Anna’s future, McPeek stated he’d nominated her to the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 5 and the Delaware Handicap (G3) at Delaware Park on Sept. 28 in opposition to the boys.
And a potential run within the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) reasonably than attempting to make it two in a row within the BC Distaff? “We’re not going to fret about it now,’’ stated McPeek.
Thorpedo Anna improved to 12 wins in 15 stars, together with seven Grade 1s and earnings of greater than $5.4 million.
