ODDS-ON THOUGHT PROCESS EARNS DOMINANT VICTORY IN SUNDAY’S GIII, $100,000 SURFER GIRL STAKES FOR 2-YEAR-OLD FILLIES GOING ONE MILE ON TURF AT SANTA ANITA

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 5, 2024)—Thought Process went to the lead under Hector Berrios and was never challenged on her way to a comfortable front-running win in Sunday’s GIII, $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Taking command early was a new dimension for Thought Process, who came from slightly off the pace in her previous two wins including last month’s Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf last month. The new tactic wasn’t by design. Berrios and trainer Phil D’Amato each expected Casalu, the 9-1 third choice with Kazushi Kimura up, to go to the front early.

“I thought (Casalu) would go to the lead. Then I saw Kimura grab the filly, so I said, ‘Let’s go,” Berrios noted. “She went really comfortably.”

Thought Process went the opening quarter mile in 23.17 seconds, a half mile in 47.69 and six furlongs in 1:11.43 for six furlongs before crossing the wire under a hand ride to win by 4 ½ lengths. The final time for one mile on firm turf was 1:34.34.

Casalu, trained by Bob Baffert, finished second by a half-length over Tigerish (16-1) in third.

    “The plan was we thought Bob’s horse was going to the lead again, so we were going to sit second,” D’Amato said. “I don’t think he was intent on having his filly go to the lead today. Hector smartly just took the lead and went the shortest way around.

Thought Process will now target the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

“I was just very impressed with her,” D’Amato said. “It looks like there’s more in the tank. I’m sure when we go to the Breeders’ Cup she will definitely need more in the tank.”

By Collected, Thought Process graduated in her second start Aug. 17 at Del Mar when being switched to turf and stretched out to a mile. Next up was the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, also at a mile, which she won handily by two lengths under Berrios.

Thought Process was bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones. She is owned by Madaket Stables, Little Red Feather Racing and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones. She is now 4: 3-0-1 with $174,000 in earnings.

Thought Process paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10. Casalu returned $4.40 and $2.60. Tigerish, ridden by Juan Hernandez for trainer Richard Baltas, paid $3.00.