Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna's latest stellar performance in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park, the last Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying race in the $400,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, and other major stakes races contested at both sites. The Lexington awarded Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis but realistically will serve as a prep for the Preakness Stakes (G1) this year.
LUCKY MAN: After Thorpedo Anna's latest dominant effort, a 4 1/4-length victory against Free Like a Girl in the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom for older fillies and mares, trainer Kenny McPeek was able to take a step back and appreciate the big picture. "I wish every trainer in America, and even jockey, could have a horse like her to be around," he said. "I worked all my career to try to find those kinds of horses, and she really does make our job easy. She's not complicated. She loves to eat. She loves to train. It's a real pleasure to be around her. She's great." McPeek spotted the very special daughter of Fast Anna for $40,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. The Apple Blossom romp lifted her earnings to $4,814,913.
SITTING CHILLY: Brian Hernandez, Jr., Thorpedo Anna's regular rider, was the picture of cool even though his mount broke poorly in the Apple Blossom, and Wild Bout Hilary looked strong on the lead in carving out an opening half-mile in :46.34. He knew what he had beneath him. "The horse on the lead was cruising along pretty nicely," Hernandez noted. "But that filly has never faced a filly of our quality. (Thorpedo Anna) decided when she wanted to go. I was just kind of sitting up there. When she swapped leads going into the second turn, and she jumped on her, I was like, 'Okay, no worries.' Thorpedo Anna completed the 1 1/16-mile contest in 1:44.27 in winning for the 10th time in 12 starts with a pair of second-place finishes.
ONE TO WATCH: Trainer Brendan Walsh is vowing to take a long view with Gosger. The son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist came from off the pace for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., for a two-length score in the 1 1/16-mile Lexington, his first attempt around two turns and his first start since breaking his maiden. "I think the main thing is that you don't try to rush them because sometimes I think that just works the other way," Walsh said. "So I'll nurse him along … I think he's going to be a nice horse as we move along."
Gosger, a homebred for Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables, was making only his third lifetime start in the Lexington. The colt earned 20 Derby qualifying points, which will keep him on the outside looking in in terms of contesting the first leg of the Triple Crown.
PROMISING RETURN: Bob Edwards of e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and trainer Chad Brown discussed the possibility of retiring popular star Carl Spackler after he finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) last November at Del Mar. He was a two-time grade 1 winner and was preparing to turn 5. They made sure to take their time with the decision. "We gave him some time off to just let him be a horse," said Edwards. "He came around quickly. We thought maybe there was something left in the tank." Actually, there appears to be plenty left in the tank. Carl Spackler responded in a huge way to jockey Flavien Prat's cue and rolled by 4 1/4 lengths in Friday's $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland, the largest margin since the race was established in 1989.
FAMILY AFFAIR: When it comes to the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn, beware the Asmussen family. Patriarch Steve, a Hall of Fame trainer and North America's runaway leader in all-time victories, notched his fourth consecutive Count Fleet and record-extending seventh overall when front-running Booth edged stablemate Ryvit by three-quarters of a length Saturday. Booth was ridden by Erik Asmussen, Steve's youngest son and the Eclipse Award winner as North America's leading apprentice last season. Ryvit was piloted by Erik's brother, Keith, who was quick to praise his sibling. "Super proud of my brother for sitting chilly, even though it's a super high-pressure circumstance," Keith said. "To see him keep his composure and deliver, I'm incredibly proud of my brother."
