Thrilling Victory prevails in Angel Island

ALBANY, Calif. - Thrilling Victory ($6.20) lived up to her name, making up 7 1/2 lengths in the final quarter mile to catch favored Lunachick at the wire in the $59,050 Angel Island Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Thrilling Victory, who won the Albany Handicap sprinting against older earlier in the meet, just did get up against the odds-on Lunachick in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, winning by a nose in 1:09.32 over a track labeled "good."

Key Secret grabbed the lead out of the gate. Lunachick, making her first start since winning the Vallejo here on May 29, eased off the rail and easily grabbed the lead on the turn. She opened up in the lane, but Thrilling Victory, who got a ground-saving trip, shifted out to the two path and came flying.

Finishing third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, was Double D Appeal, who had not run since winning the Nursery Stakes at Hollywood Park on May 16, 2004.

"I just had to give her a spot to run," winning jockey Chad Schvaneveldt said. "Once she gets a place to go, she'll come."

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who saw Thrilling Victory win the 1 1/16-mile Bay Meadows Oaks on turf this spring, said, "When horses are good, they can do lots of things."

Thrilling Victory earned $36,550 for her third stakes victory, increasing her lifetime earnings to $179,670 with six wins in 11 starts.