LEXINGTON, Ky. — Thorpedo Anna, widely regarded as the frontrunner for the Horse of the Year accolade, has recently undergone a minor dental procedure to extract a bone fragment from her jaw. The 3-year-old filly has had a remarkable season, achieving victories in six out of her seven races this year, solidifying her status as a top contender.
Currently, Thorpedo Anna is resting at trainer Ken McPeek’s farm located in Lexington, Kentucky, with no plans to return to competition until the new year. She was diagnosed with a small sore in her mouth, which prompted further examinations. These assessments revealed a tiny piece of dead bone that had detached from the healthy portion of her jaw, necessitating the surgery.
On Sunday, McPeek shared updates on his Facebook page, explaining, “After the Breeders’ Cup, we noticed a persistent sore in her mouth that didn’t heal during her time off. Further investigation led to the discovery of a small splinter of bone causing the problem. The procedure to remove it was done standing, and we’re optimistic it will no longer be an issue for her. Thorpedo Anna’s strength and cooperative nature were remarkable throughout this process.”
Once she has fully recovered, Thorpedo Anna is set to rejoin McPeek’s training stable at Fair Grounds in New Orleans next month. Throughout her 2024 racing season, she has achieved significant accomplishments, including wins at the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, Cotillion Stakes, and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her only setback came with a second-place finish against champion Fierceness in the Travers at Saratoga, where she competed against male horses.
With such a stellar performance this year, Thorpedo Anna is the leading candidate for both Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly at the upcoming Eclipse Awards, scheduled for January 23.