Thorpedo Anna put to rest any lingering doubts about her talents as a 4-year-old by thundering to her seventh stakes score in the $498,500 Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes June 28 at Churchill Downs.

Even before the daughter of Fast Anna's victory Saturday, breeder and co-owner Judy Hicks had said the filly's 2024 Horse of the Year accolades already given her and her partners the thrill of a lifetime. Seeing her star athlete return to the winner's circle brought tears to Hicks' eyes.

"She was perfect. She's back," Hicks said.

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Returning to the site of her disappointing loss in May's Grade 1 Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. could feel things would be different as soon as the gates opened.

"That first jump when she left cleanly and was there, I was like, 'Alright, we're fine from this point,'" Hernandez said.

Thorpedo Anna latched onto the pacesetting Royal Spa through early fractions of :23.43 and :47.07.

"I just wanted to stay out of her way and keep her in her nice rhythm," Hernandez said. "We turned for home, just let her out a notch, and off she went."

Thorpedo Anna struck the front at the top of the stretch. Royal Spa eyeballed Thorpedo Anna and dug in with all she had but couldn't stay with the champion, who streaked clear to a thunderous roar of applause from the Churchill Downs grandstand.

Royal Spa settled for second. Taxed completed the trifecta in third.

Thorpedo Anna ($2.70) crossed the wire three lengths in front in a final time of 1:48.52 for the 1 1/8 miles.

"We've got three races before the year's out. Right now the Personal Ensign might be it, there's a good chance she'll be up at Saratoga," said trainer Kenny McPeek, sporting a fresh tattoo paying homage to the accomplishments of his infamous 2024 Kentucky Derby/Oaks double with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna under his suit jacket.

The ultimate goal is a return trip to defend her title in the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. The Fleur de Lis was a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Win and You're In event. With her victory, Torpedo Anna an automatic slot into the Del Mar starting gate Nov. 1 for the Breeders' Cup Distaff.