Thought Process makes it look easy in San Clemente Handicap
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DEL MAR, Calif. - The 3-year-old filly Thought Process sure is making winning look effortless these days.
After winning her 2025 debut in an allowance race at a mile on turf by five lengths at Santa Anita on June 14, Thought Process cruised to a comfortable win by 1 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Del Mar.
Thought Process closed from fourth on the first turn to reach a stalking position on the backstretch. She took the lead on the turn and led by two lengths with a furlong remaining under a confident ride by jockey Hector Berrios.
“The filly makes it easy,” Berrios said. “She was very strong on the turn.”
A heavy favorite, Thought Process ($2.80) was timed in 1:36.24, winning for the fifth time in her seventh start. Thought Process earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.
Berrios had Thought Process on the rail behind pacesetter Silent Law on the first turn before moving Thought Process closer to the front as the field reached the backstretch.
“I tried to wait, but the pace was slow and I moved to the outside,” he said.
Silent Law, second in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks in April, set a modest pace of 23.82 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.34 for a half-mile. Berrios had Thought Process within a length of Silent Law on the backstretch.
None of the other runners posed a threat to Thought Process in the stretch.
Casalu, the winner of two turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita in December and February, closed from fifth to finish second at 15-1. Casalu finished three-quarters of a length in front of 5-1 Will Then.
Firenze Flavor finished fourth, followed by Jungle Peace, As Catch Can, Miso Phansy, Silent Law and Amorita.
The $202,000 San Clemente Handicap was the third stakes win for Thought Process, who is trained by Phil D’Amato for the partnership of the family of the late Brereton Jones, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables.
D’Amato said he was pleased with the way Thought Process handled the buildup to the race as much as he was the performance.
“I’m really happy with the way she handled the paddock and maintained her composure,” he said. “Hector had her relaxed in the post parade.
“The plan was to get her to settle and finish well.”
Thought Process, who won the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf last September and the Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita last October, will be pointed to the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Aug. 16.
Thought Process gave D’Amato his third win in the San Clemente in the last four years.
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