Kentucky-bred Thought Process became a newly minted Grade 1 winner on May 25 at Santa Anita, rolling to a 2 ¾-length win in the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
With Hector Berrios aboard, Thought Process enjoyed an ideal trip, stalking pacesetter Rashmi early. Entering the stretch, Thought Process ranged up to Rashmi and kicked clear in the lane to win in a time of 1:47.51.
“Once I came up to the other filly, I asked her and she responded,” Berrios said.
Thought Process is trained by Phil D’Amato for owners Estate of Brereton C. Jones, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables. The late Brereton C. Jones, former governor of Kentucky, bred the 4-year-old filly by Collected.
“I thought we were in a really good position, and I could see she was nice and comfortable,” D’Amato said. “I could see the horse on the lead was also going very easy. When Hector asked her in the stretch, she responded and opened up. It was a hand ride from there.”
Thought Process improved to 10-7-0-2 and now has more than $680,000 in earnings. Prior to the Gamely, the filly won the Buena Vista Stakes (G2) in February at Santa Anita.
“She got real sick, that’s why she missed some time,” said Billy Koch of Little Red Feather. “So, to run her back in a race like this, it was pretty incredible.”