With the announcement of reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna’s retirement, I wanted to share some of my favorite photos I’ve taken of the filly over the past year and a half. All of these photos were taken at Saratoga, and many of them were taken for The Saratoga Special. It was such a pleasure to be able to witness and photograph the part of Thorpedo Anna’s journey that took place at the Spa.
The first time I saw Thorpedo Anna with my own eyes was in June of 2024, when I met her at the barn of Kenny McPeek.
The first race I saw Thorpedo Anna win was the Grade I Acorn in June, during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. No, the field was not comprised of five Thorpedo Annas, this is a sequence of photos.
Breeder Judy Hicks and groom José López (obscured) lead Thorpedo Anna into the winner’s circle with regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. onboard.
Thorpedo Anna trains on the Oklahoma Track in the summer of 2024. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
The Grizzly gets a bath at the Oklahoma Annex.
Pablo Gallegos (left) and José López lead Thorpedo Anna around the paddock prior to the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks in July 2024.
Lorna Chavez ponies Thorpedo Anna prior to the Coaching Club American Oaks.
The field turns for home in the Coaching Club American Oaks.
The Grizzly makes her move on the far turn.
Pablo Gallegos and José López lead Thorpedo Anna off the track after her win.
The Grizzly gets a bath before heading to the test barn.
José and Pablo excitedly lead Thorpedo Anna to the test barn.
Thorpedo Anna, with exercise rider Danny Ramsey onboard, heads into the paddock before posting her final pre-Travers work. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
The Grizzly puts in her final work before taking on the boys in the Travers.
José López leads the 2024 Horse of the Year into the paddock before the Travers, sporting a Thorpedo Anna hat.
Thorpedo Anna is led around the paddock prior to be saddled for the race.
Lorna Chavez ponies Thorpedo Anna to the post for the race.
Thorpedo Anna and Fierceness battle down the stretch in the Travers, with the latter prevailing by a nose.
Thorpedo Anna, with Brian Hernandez, Jr. onboard, returns to the front side after her valiant Travers effort.
José López leads Thorpedo Anna back to the barn after the race.
Danny Ramsey jogs Thorpedo Anna on the Oklahoma Track prior to one of her fall breezes.
The Grizzly breezes in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which she ultimately won.
Thorpedo Anna gallops out from her breeze.
Thorpedo Anna walks in front of trainer Kenny McPeek’s office after her work.
The Grizzly is hot walked at the Oklahoma Annex after her work.
The sun illuminates half of Thorpedo Anna’s face as she gets a bath. I love close ups.
Fall foliage backs a beautiful backdrop as The Grizzly gets a bath.
Francisco Serrano, assistant to Kenny McPeek, cuddles with the Horse of the Year in her stall at the Oklahoma Annex this summer.
The Grizzly peeks out from her stall on a summer morning.
Danny Ramsey jogs Thorpedo Anna over the Oklahoma Track bright and early.
Thorpedo Anna does a slow gallop around the track before speeding things up a bit on the second go-around.
Francisco Serrano leads Thorpedo Anna back to the barn, as Kenny McPeek walks behind them.
Bobby Eversole takes Thorpedo Anna around the paddock a few days before the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes.
Bobby Eversole returns with a smile on his face after galloping Thorpedo Anna.
Bobby Eversole gallops The Grizzly on the eve of her big summer race.
Judy Hicks and José López lead Thorpedo Anna into the paddock before the Personal Ensign.
Onlookers gather in the paddock to photograph Thorpedo Anna, among them celebrated sports photographer Neil Leifer (far left).
Brian Hernandez, Jr., sporting the silks of new part-owner Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms for the first time, heads out to the track onboard Thorpedo Anna.
The Personal Ensign field breaks from the gate.
The Grizzly is in the mix heading into the first turn.
Thorpedo Anna gives it all she’s got coming down the stretch, prevailing by a nose over fellow Grade 1 winner Dorth Vader.
Thorpedo Anna’s connections smile wide in the winner’s circle after her hard fought victory.
The champion filly gets a bath after the race.
It has been so much fun to go back through these photos. Wishing The Grizzly all the best, and I can’t wait to see her babies!
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
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One thought on “Thorpedo Anna at the Spa”
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Wonderful pictures of such a wonderful horse!!