Kentucky Oaks: Know All About Lilies For the Fillies That Adorned Thorpedo Anna After $1.5 Million Victory

What better way to set the mood for the 2024 Kentucky Derby than with another equally thrilling race? The Derby’s sister race, the Kentucky Oaks, is an equally prestigious race, that started in the same year as the other (1875) and was also established by Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark. With this year’s Derby race being one of the most anticipated ones in recent history, the ladies have already set the bar high at the G1 thoroughbred fillies race.

Ahead of the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby, a recent article by the Teneral Cellars has delved deep into the long and rich history of the Kentucky Oaks to help fans get into the racing spirit for tomorrow. While the Run for the Roses is undoubtedly one of the biggest horse racing events in the world, the Lillies for the Fillies have dedicated fans, who love to celebrate the day with everything that is pink.

Lite Lights made history at the CDI racecourse in 1991. The winner’s garland, made out of 133 (or 145, for this year) lilies nd sewn into white fabric, was introduced that year after years of using roses for the garland and Lite Lights was the first Oaks winner to show off the flowers in all its glory.  The Seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Churchill’s Twin Spires adorn the garland, like the Derby winner’s rose bouquet. Florists at the Middletown Kroger crafted this year’s garland that was awarded to Thorpedo Anna.

Oaks Lily, the signature drink for the Kentucky Oaks has also become a nationwide sensation for its trademark appearance. made out of premium products, this drink captures the essence of the prestigious event like no other. Teneral Cellars’ article also states what the Derby means for the Kentucky natives, and how both the Derby and the Oaks have carved a niche for themselves by being held at the same location where they were first held. Over the years, celebrating women has become synonymous with the Oaks, which is renowned for its unwavering commitment to fight against breast and ovarian cancer.

With Thorpedo Anna being the latest recipient of the stargazer lily garland (and the $1.5 million prize money), the stage is set for the race that is to kick off tomorrow at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Oaks 2024: A nail-biter

This year’s Oaks was even more exciting since the lineup boasted multiple relatives and family members. While Leslie’s Rose and Into Champagne are half-sisters, both the offspring of Into Mischief, jockeys Steve and Keith Asmussen are a father-son duo who saddled Our Pretty Woman and Leon Muffin respectively. However, all of these familial relations were irrelevant on the track as the horse took to the muddy racecourse in hopes of winning the 150th Kentucky Oaks.

Everland took an early lead off the starting line, only to cede the leading spot to Torpedo Anna soon. With five furlongs to go, Anna kept a firm grip on the race as Just F Y I, the favorite for the race, dragged on in sixth place. During the final stretch of the race, Thorpedo Anna managed to get some extra boost to the engines with relentless persuasion from jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and won the race, while Just FYI made moves to finish the race second.