Thorpedo Anna Wins 2024 Acorn Stakes at Saratoga

 Thorpedo Anna, the bay daughter of Fast Anna and Sataves (by Uncle Mo), won the Acorn Stakes by 5 and 1/2 lengths this afternoon.  It was the first time the Acorn Stakes was run at Saratoga - due to the rebuilding at Belmont Park - and the distance of the race was increased from the usual 1 and 1/16 miles to 1 and 1/8 miles.  Thorpedo Anna was the betting favorite when the gates opened this afternoon, after winning the Kentucky Oaks on 3 May.

   A field of nine fillies was originally entered, but Becky's Joker, who had drawn post position 1 in the field, scratched from the race.  Just F Y I, last year's 2-year-old champion filly, went to the lead out of the gate, and led for 3/4 mile, with times of 23.53 seconds, 46.75 seconds, and 1:10.24 for 3/4s mile.  Thorpedo Anna had stayed in second from the break, and took the lead just past the 3/4 mark.  Leslie's Rose had stayed in third behind the two front runners for the first 6 furlongs.  As Just F Y I weakened, and Thorpedo Anna took the lead, the second through fifth places were in constant flux.  The mile marker was hit in 1:35.51, and Thorpedo Anna hit the finish line in 1:49.02.

   Thorpedo Anna was 5 and 1/2 lengths ahead of Leslie's Rose, who was 1 and 1/4 lengths ahead of Power Squeeze, who was 2 and 1/2 lengths before My Mane Squeeze.  The complete order of finish, with purse earnings, was:  1. Thorpedo Anna  ($275,000);  2. Leslie's Rose ($100,000);  3. Power Squeeze ($60,000);  4. My Mane Squeeze ($30,000); 5. Regulatory Risk  ($20,000);  6. Just F Y I  ($5,000);  7. Where's My Ring  ($5,000); 8. Gun Song  ($5,000);   scratch: Becky's Joker.

   The betting payouts for a $2 bet were:  $3.50 for Thorpedo Anna to win; Leslie's Rose paid $6.10 to place; and Power Squeeze paid $7.50 to show.  A $2 exacta returned $25.80; a trifecta paid $205.50; and a superfecta saw $1,164 for a correct bet.

Thorpedo Anna winning the Acorn Stakes; photo by Skip Dickstein.