Power Squeeze extends wins streak in Gulfstream Park Oaks; Thorpedo Anna romps in Fantasy

Mar 30, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Power Squeeze, who had been active all winter in Florida, got the better of odds-on favorite Ways and Means in Saturday's $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

Ridden by Daniel Centeno, Power Squeeze rallied from midpack to defeat Ways and Means by one length in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series prep.

Fitness likely played a role in the victory, as Power Squeeze entered the 1 1/16-mile race off wins in the Cash Run S. at Gulfstream on Jan. 1 and the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 10. In contrast, Ways and Means, the 1-2 choice, was making her first start since finishing second in the Spinaway (G1) in early September. The Gulfstream Park Oaks was also her first start beyond seven furlongs.

Owned by Lea Farms, Power Squeeze returned $24 after completing the distance in 1:44.19.

Ways and Means, who encountered some trouble entering the first turn and pulled herself into contention while three wide down the backside, finished 5 3/4 lengths of third-place finisher Into Champagne. Next across the wire were Gun Song, Scalable, Do Gooder, America's Vow, and Fiona's Magic. Neom City was pulled up.

Power Squeeze earned 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks, bringing her total to 120. Ways and Means earned 50 points, while Into Champagne boosted her total from 25 to 50. Gun Song secured 15 points and Scalable boosted her total from 12 to 22.

The Gulfstream Park Oaks was Power Squeeze's fourth win in six starts. Prior to her three stakes wins this term, Power Squeeze finished fourth and second before graduating in a maiden event at Delaware Park in October.

'When she broke her maiden at Delaware, we knew we had a filly that can go very far,' trainer Jorge Delgado said. 'I believe the stretch at Churchill is going to be really good for her.'

Power Squeeze was bred in Kentucky by Forging Oaks Farm and last went through the sales ring as a $90,000 OBS April juvenile. By Union Rags, she was produced by three-time stakes winner Callmethesqueeze, a daughter of Awesome Again.

A long layoff proved no hindrance to Thorpedo Anna in Saturday's other Kentucky Oaks prep, the $750,000 Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park.

Making her first start since a distant second-place finish in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs in late November, Thorpedo Anna blasted her nearest rival by four lengths as the second choice.

#12 Thorpedo Anna returns to the races and dominates in the G2 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park for trainer @kennymcpeek with @b_hernandezjr aboard! 🏆

Four wins on the card for this duo and they team up with Mystik Dan in the Arkansas Derby up next! 👀

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/TCYRb4aZK1

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 30, 2024

The Fantasy was the fourth win on the card for the trainer/jockey tandem of Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez Jr.

Owned by Brookdale Racing, Thorpedo Anna paid $7.40 after covering 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:44.24. West Omaha finished second, 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Tapit Jenallie. All Things Go finished fourth and Recharge was fifth.

Other notables among the field of 10 were Honeybee (G3) winner Lemon Muffin, who finished seventh. My Many Squeeze, the 2-1 favorite, finished one spot behind in eighth.

Thorpedo Anna earned 100 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points, bringing her total to 105. West Omaha increased her total from 40 to 90, while Tapit Jenallie went from 29 to 54. All Things Go earned 15 points, and Recharge increased her total from 20 to 30.

Thorpedo Anna has now won three of four stars. After taking her first two outings in overnight company by a combined 17 1/2 lengths, she finished 5 1/4 lengths adrift of Intricate in the Golden Rod.

Bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks and a $40,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling, Thorpedo Anna is by Fast Anna and out of Sataves, by Uncle Mo.