Thrill of It should get plenty of pace to chase

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer John Terranova looks poised to have a big Friday at Aqueduct with three contenders on the eight-race card.

In the featured seventh, a second-level $62,500 allowance/optional-claiming race at six furlongs, Terranova sends out Thrill of It, who on paper appears the best closer in a speed-laden field.

\Thrill of It, a 5-year-old New York-bred gelding by Bal a Bali, has had a solid year thus far, with two wins and a narrow third-place finish in this condition March 3. In that race, Thrill of It couldn’t reel in Disarmed, getting beat a neck by that one, while losing a nose bob for second to Cowan.

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That race was run over a sealed, muddy track.

“I don’t think it hurt us, but it helped the ones up front. I think it might have carried them a little farther at the end where we couldn’t grab them,” Terranova said. “Still, another winning effort. He’s been in really good form and he’s held it. From the way he looks, the way he’s training, I expect another big effort.”

While Terranova isn’t happy about drawing the rail, he is happy about the plethora of speed signed on for this seven-horse field.

“It looks like they’ll be knocking heads up there and he seems to be a nice off-the-pace sprinter. That’s the style he’s getting the best at,” Terranova said.

Luis Rivera Jr. rides.

On Feb. 9, Thrill of It defeated Factually Correct, who came back to win his next start by 1 3/4 lengths. Factually Correct has recorded his last two wins from a front-running position. Last October, Factually Correct won a New York-bred allowance from a pace-pressing position when he broke from an outside post, similar to what he has Friday.

Trainer Wayne Potts has the coupled-entry of Kupp and Emerald Forest. Both are forward runners, though Emerald Forest has previously been effective from off the pace. Emerald Forest is making his first start for Potts, who claimed him for $50,000 out of a runner-up effort March 29.

Looms Boldly, a New York-bred stakes winner at 3, returns for his first start since August for trainer Brad Cox.

Saffa’s Day and Masrour complete the competitive field.

Terranova has chances in races 2 and 8 as well.

In race 2, he drops I Am the Law from allowance company to the $50,000 claiming level. I Am the Law also is cutting back in distance from 1 1/8 miles to a one-turn mile.

“Just looking for a little class relief,” Terranova said. “Makes sense, they’re just a little too fast for him in that [allowance] condition.”

In race 8, Terranova sends out Notah in a starter allowance. Last time out, in this condition, Notah finished second behind Mandatory, who has won his last three starts.

The horse to beat in this spot may be Borletti, who was beaten a nose last out by Natural Harbor, who returned to win again.

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