Thorpedo Anna tries to return to form in Fleur de Lis

Reigning horse of the year Thorpedo Anna will attempt to return to top form after a troubled seventh-place finish in the Grade 1, $1 million La Troienne when she leads four rivals entered in Saturday’s 50th running of the $500,000 Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs. In addition to the purse, the race offers a win-and-you're-in berth to the Breeders' Cup Distaff, a race Thorpedo Anna won last year.

Owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna was the heavy 2-5 La Troienne favorite but after being bumped repeatedly going into the first turn, she finished seventh.

Click here for Churchill Downs entries and results.

“She got pinballed quite a bit going into that first turn,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “It looks like it took the breath out of her. That’s really all we could figure out that happened. Talking to Brian Hernandez Jr., he said she got hit pretty good. Any way you look at it, she didn’t run well. The best-laid plans didn’t work out.

“In the meantime, we’ve just sort of taken our time and it’s been nearly two months since her last run and we’re really optimistic she can get back to her top form.”

The 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna had a tremendous 3-year-old season capped by victories in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Cotillion (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Thorpedo Anna began her 2025 campaign with victories in the Azeri (G2) and Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn before her disappointing effort in the La Troienne.

“It was obviously disappointing what transpired in the La Troienne, but we’re really looking forward to her getting back to form in Saturday’s race,” Hernandez said. “She’s trained well since in the mornings, and we know the caliber of horse she is.”

The Fleur de Lis is one of six stakes contests on the 12-race program headlined by the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) in Race 11. The Fleur de Lis will go as Race 7 at 3:52 p.m. EDT. First post is 12:45 p.m. EDT.