Nader Alaali, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing’s dual-grade 1 winner Thorpedo Anna posted her first breeze since capturing the June 7 Acorn Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
The current leader of the 3-year-old filly division following her Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Acorn triumphs, Thorpedo Anna worked a half-mile in :49.25 June 22 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga.
Trained by Kenny McPeek, the Fast Anna filly had lost her front right shoe during the run into the first turn of the Acorn, and the conditioner subsequently noted the foot was a little tender after the race.
“She did a maintenance half-mile by herself, easy stuff. We’ve got four weeks until she runs. Keeping her in routine, she is probably 95 to 100 percent for the Coaching Club if everything goes right,” said McPeek. “We will evaluate the race and see about the Alabama or Travers next.”
The $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), contested over 1 1/8 miles for sophomore fillies, is July 20 at Saratoga.
McPeek has called Thorpedo Anna “a grizzly” and entertained the idea of matching her up against colts, which has been contingent upon where Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan finds himself. The son of Goldencents was the only horse to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown, finishing second in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and eighth in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
After his Triple Crown-trail efforts, Mystik Dan scoped with some mucus but McPeek provided an update that the colt is doing well. He will receive a freshening and then point toward the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.
“(We have) no intentions of running him in the Jim Dandy. He ran hard all spring, and is getting a bit of a break, plenty of grazing time, horse is happy and healthy” said McPeek. “He will probably go Travers, Pennsylvania Derby.”
Also returning to the work tab over the weekend was Peter M. Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith’s grade 1 winner Sierra Leone .
Sierra Leone trains ahead of the Belmont Stakes
Trained by Chad Brown, the Gun Runner colt closed from ninth to finish third behind Dornoch and Mindframe in the June 8 Belmont Stakes.
Sierra Leone worked Sunday morning with blinkers on, covering a half-mile solo over the Oklahoma dirt training track in :49.66 and galloping out through the turn and into the backstretch while encouraged by the exercise rider.
“It went fine. It was his first work back and he was moving good,” Brown said.
Brown said he has yet to decide if Sierra Leone will try the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) or wait until the Travers.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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