Berrios' change of plans pays off with Thought Process in Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Hector Berrios envisioned a forward trip for Thought Process early in Saturday’s $103,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf.
When Casalu was sent to the front by jockey Kazushi Kimura, Berrios changed his strategy, and moved the heavily favored Thought Process into a stalking position. The decision led to a comfortable two-length win by Thought Process, a victory that propels the filly into the discussion for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Thought Process ($2.80) was timed in 1:35.06, easily beating 10 rivals. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 82, which equals her career-best.
“When Kimura pushed to the front, I was happy in second,” Berrios said. “She was comfortable. I decided to wait.
“By the quarter-pole, I went to the lead.”
Casalu, third in the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs on dirt on Aug. 10, set a fair pace of 23.12 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.37 for a half-mile, holding an advantage of at least 1 1/2 lengths.
Berrios moved Thought Process to the outside of Casalu on the turn, and seemingly had the measure of his rival before going to the front.
Supa Speed, who was fractious in the gate, closed from sixth to finish second at 5-1, 2 1/2 lengths in front of the well-bred maiden Sea Runner, a 16-1 outsider who was wide on the first turn.
Supa Speed was unloaded from the gate briefly before the start. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Supa Speed trailed Casalu by four or five lengths through the first half-mile.
“I was hoping for a better break,” Hernandez said.
“She came with a big run. The winner beat me easily, but I think she’s getting better. It looks she can handle the distance.”
Sea Runner is a half-sister to Johannes, the winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in May and two other stakes this year. Sea Runner was third in her debut in a maiden race on turf on Aug. 3. The Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf was her second start.
“I loved her gameness,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “We didn’t have the best of trips going into the first turn.”
Casalu faded to finish fourth, followed by Madonna of Loreto, Caitlin Fever, Hey Lil Lady, Twirling Light, Fondest Dream, Apocalyptic, and Global Consort.
Thought Process, by Collected, races for the partnership of Madaket Stables, the Little Red Feather Racing partnership and the family of the late Brereton Jones.
Trained by Phil D’Amato, Thought Process was third in a maiden race on dirt in her debut on July 27 before winning a maiden race at a mile on turf by 3 1/2 lengths as the 11-10 favorite on Aug. 17. She was an even shorter price on Saturday and performed to expectation.
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