Thorpedo Anna rolls in Apple Blossom; Booth fastest in Count Fleet Sprint

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna notched her sixth career Grade 1 victory in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Trainer Kenny McPeek said her attempt at a seventh won't be long in coming.

The next intended target for the four-year-old filly is the $1 million La Troienne (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 2, where an audience of more than 100,000 spectators is possible, if the weather holds.

"I think three weeks she'll handle fine," said McPeek, referring to the relatively quick turnaround.

Thorpedo Anna handled her Apple Blossom assignment more than fine. Although top weighted at 124 pounds, Thorpedo Anna looked a more towering presence on paper over her five rivals. And thus she proved after 1 1/16 miles.

Tracking in second behind pacesetter Wild Bout Hilary to the far turn, Thorpedo Anna then delivered her knockout on cue. Blowing past that tiring rival, Thorpedo Anna opened up on the field and maintained a steady advantage through the stretch, eventually passing the wire 4 1/4 lengths in front.

Thorpedo Anna finished up the fast-track test in 1:44.27 and paid $2.40. Free Like a Girl finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Where's My Ring. Farther back were Neom Beach, Wild Bout Hilary, and Sweet Alyssa.

Thorpedo Anna, who races for Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, breeder Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing, remains perfect at Oaklawn and nearly everywhere else. She's won 10 of 12 lifetime, her only setbacks occurring in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs at two and in last year's Travers (G1) at Saratoga last summer.

She kicked off her Horse of the Year campaign winning the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn, later adding the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Cotillion (G1), and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Her win in the Apple Blossom was preceded by a similarly facile tally in the Azeri (G2).

The daughter of Fast Anna is well accustomed to performing at the highest level before large throngs. Her second Kentucky Oaks Day appearance in 20 days is shaping up to be yet another one of those occurrences.

Booth took all the heat but nonetheless gutted out a victory in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint H. (G3), continuing trainer Steve Asmussen's recent dominance of Oaklawn's signature event for older sprinters.

A slower than expected break, according to jockey Erik Asmussen, prevented Booth from separating from the field early. The one that took it to Booth, California shipper Anarchist, forced a sizzling pace of :21.87 and :44.86.

"He had to take the pressure," Erik Asmussen said.

The two were still separated by only a half-length when Booth began to edge slightly clear inside the final furlong, but by then several closers began entering the frame. Booth found the wire in time, though, finishing three parts of a length ahead of stablemate Ryvit.

Anarchist weakened to third, a half-length in front of Happy American and Tejano Twist, who were separated by a head. Farther back were Devil's Tower and Payne.

Booth covered six furlongs in 1:09.82 and paid $2.80. The four-year-old races for William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, and Whispering Oaks Farm.

This was the fourth win in the past six editions of the Count Fleet for Steve Asmussen, who has six wins altogether in the race. Among his previous winners was Mitole, the 2019 champion sprinter and sire of Booth.

The Count Fleet was the sixth win in 10 starts for Booth, who was notching his third consecutive stakes of the Oaklawn meet. He previously landed the Commodore, an overnight stakes, on Feb. 24, and followed up with a score in the March 15 Whitmore (G3), named in honor of the three-time Count Fleet Sprint hero.