Coach Kenny McPeek stated the newly topped Horse of the Yr, Thorpedo Anna , is pointed towards the March 8 Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
McPeek stated it simply is sensible that the 4-year-old daughter of Quick Anna make her debut on the Arkansas monitor. Final week on the Eclipse Awards, Thorpedo Anna was named Horse of the Yr and champion 3-year-old filly.
“Looks as if a great spot. … The place else would I’m going?” McPeek stated.
There have been conversations amongst these in her camp about sending Thorpedo Anna to the Dubai World Cup (G1), however McPeek stated that whereas that hasn’t been dominated out, the extra doubtless follow-up to the Azeri could be the April 12 Apple Blossom Stakes (G1) at Oaklawn, every week later than the competition in Dubai. However he hasn’t closed the door on a visit to the Center East.
“Nothing’s going to be determined till after, if she makes the Azeri, then we are going to decide after that,” McPeek defined. “However at this cut-off date, let’s get by means of the Azeri. And as an instance she runs enormous within the Azeri and it is a dominant efficiency, then we’d in all probability ponder going to Dubai.Join BloodHorse Every day
“Proper now it is one step at a time.”
Past these April races, the coach stated the plan could be to level towards grade 1s because the summer season approaches.
“The Ogden Phipps is a superb race, the La Troienne in Kentucky is a superb race,” he stated. “Possibly after the Azeri we might in all probability ponder going to one thing just a little bit larger.”
One other of McPeek’s trainees has a much less clear path ahead. After a disappointing run within the Pegasus World Cup Stakes (G1) Jan. 25, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan ‘s subsequent transfer is on maintain.
“He is doing superb. You already know, we have gone over him with a fine-tooth comb,” McPeek stated. “We’re just a little involved … (we) simply wish to make it possible for he is 100% wholesome. And we’ll in all probability take our time earlier than we ponder what we’re doing subsequent. However he is consuming good postrace, and he is energetic, good postrace, however I’d say that we’ll be very meticulous earlier than we decide on his subsequent run.”
McPeek, who was on the Eclipse Awards due to the anticipated honoring of Thorpedo Anna, hoped to return away with some {hardware} for himself. Many believed that McPeek had an opportunity at being named high coach after profitable the Derby with Mystik Dan and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Thorpedo Anna, to not point out her different exploits on the monitor.
“It was an incredible occasion. Actually honored to be part of it, actually. I am just a little disenchanted we did not win coach of the 12 months, however on the identical time, Chad Brown had an incredible 12 months. All of that is out of my management, and who makes these selections, but it surely’s an actual honor to be part of it.”
