Thorpedo Anna, a 4-year-old filly, is set to make her debut at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in the Grade II $400,000 Azeri Stakes. Trained by Ken McPeek, she is the favorite for the race and has been described as the “Energizer Bunny” due to her love for racing. Despite facing a seven-horse field of older females, Thorpedo Anna is expected to perform well and is seen as a potential contender for the Grade I $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap next month.
One of Thorpedo Anna’s rivals in the Azeri Stakes is Free Like a Girl, a 6-year-old mare who is looking for a defining victory before retiring as a broodmare. Trained by Chasey Deville Pomier, Free Like a Girl is aiming for a graded-stakes win and may consider running in the Apple Blossom if she performs well in the Azeri. With jockey Julien Leparoux aboard, Free Like a Girl will be carrying 2 pounds less than Thorpedo Anna under the race’s allowance conditions.
Other contenders in the Azeri Stakes include Bayakoa upset winner Wild Bout Hilary, Alpine Princess, Jody’s Pride, Recharge, and Bow Draw. Trained by notable names like Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen, these horses will be competing against Thorpedo Anna and Free Like a Girl in the 1 1/16-mile race. The Azeri is scheduled as race 10 on Saturday’s card at Oaklawn, with post time set for 5:23 p.m.
