Thought Process, Grand Slam Smile bolster division in Buena Vista

ARCADIA, Calif. – Reinforcements to a fragile filly-mare turf division arrive Saturday in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita.

Thought Process and Grand Slam Smile, both new to the division, enter the one-mile Buena Vista Stakes as well-accomplished stakes winners with plenty left to prove.

Thought Process has not raced in more than six months and has never faced older. But the 4-year-old filly won graded stakes at 2 and 3, and trainer Phil D’Amato has her primed.

“We’re not coming into this race to try to give her one,” D’Amato said. “The last time she came off the bench, she won by [nearly six lengths]. She’s ready.”

Thought Process is the 9-5 program favorite in the Buena Vista.

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Grand Slam Smile has won eight stakes – seven against California-breds, another as a 2-year-old. Now 5, Grand Slam Smile is stretching out Saturday after a front-running win in a statebred turf sprint stakes.

“We’re stepping up in company, and I think she’s up for the challenge,” trainer Sean McCarthy said. “She’s five years old now, we’d like to get a graded stakes win with her. That’s why we’re here.” Grand Slam Smile, 3-1 second choice, is quick enough to set the pace if she wants.

While comebacker Thought Process and California-bred Grand Slam Smile are favorites, the Buena Vista also includes sharp Princesa Moche. Her win in the Grade 3 Megahertz was her third from her last four starts. Princesa Moche has come a long way since arriving last summer from Peru.

“She’s just been amazing the way she’s acclimated as quickly as she has,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “She’s acting like she’s been here her whole life, thriving, eating well, training 100 percent every day.”

Princesa Moche is listed 5-1.

Others in the Buena Vista, race 7, include Vibez, Watchtower, Hannah Buckle, and My Perfect Wave.

Thought Process has not started since August, when she finished third as the even-money favorite in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks. Why the layoff?

“Just little things,” D’Amato said, without offering specifics. “Just decided to give her time off, and take care of ’em. She’s come back as good as ever.”

Thought Process has trained super and is reunited with Hector Berrios, who rode her three stakes wins – Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita, and Grade 2 San Clemente last summer at Del Mar. Thought Process, who possesses speed and versatility, could tuck into a nice trip saving ground right behind the speed.

Thought Process has won five races and $380,200 from eight starts. She is owned by the estate of Brereton C. Jones, Little Red Feather Racing, and Madaket Stables.

Grand Slam Smile’s new rider is Kazushi Kimura. He replaces William Antongeorgi, who relocated to Kentucky. Kimura has never ridden Grand Slam Smile in a race, but he was up for her last three workouts including a five-furlong bullet work last Sunday in 58 seconds.

“She came back to the barn pulling the kid around the tow ring,” McCarthy said. “I can’t ask for her to be doing any better than she is.”

Grand Slam Smile has won 10 races and $828,120 from 17 starts, with six seconds. She is owned by her breeders, Larry and Marianne Williams.

Princesa Moche won nine races in Peru before owner Roberto Spasiano opted for the U.S. Spasiano, a longtime friend of O’Neill’s assistant trainer Leandro Mora, shipped the mare to O’Neill last summer. Her first two starts were bland, her last four were terrific – three wins and a second.

“She’s been amazing the way she’s acclimated as quickly as she has,” O’Neill said. “She’s such a fighter, such a leader, and just a pleasure to train.”

Princesa Moche, a pace-presser, will be ridden again by Mirco Demuro. Princesa Moche has won 12 races and $174,116 from 39 starts.

Vibez, a restricted stakes winner, finished a neck behind Princesa Moche in the Megahertz. Peter Eurton trains Vibez, whose rider, Juan Hernandez, is in the middle of a suspension for a riding infraction at Sunland Park. He can ride in the Buena Vista, which is a “designated” race.

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