FAVORED THRILLING TAKES $72,000 SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE BY THREE QUARTERS OF A LENGTH, GETS 6 ½ FURLONGS DOWN HILLSIDE TURF IN 1:13.19

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2022)–Idle since Oct. 30, Thrilling was handled confidently by Flavien Prat as she stalked the early pace and when on to decisive three quarter length score in Friday’s $72,000 Santa Anita allowance feature, which was run at 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course.  Trained by Michael McCarthy, the 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo got the trip in 1:13.19.

“She was fresh and she ran well,” said McCarthy.  “It looked like Flavien was always in control.  We’ll keep on the hillside for now.  We’ll find something for her.”

Aggressively spotted early, Prat, who was riding Thrilling for the first time, was intent on keep the pressure on early leader Greg’s Diva, who succumbed three sixteenths of a mile from home.

A game nose winner of a first condition allowance going six furlongs out of Santa Anita’s turf chute on Oct. 30, Thrilling was off as the 8-5 favorite in a field of seven older fillies and mares and paid $5.40, $3.40 and $3.00.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Thrilling, who is out of the Galileo mare Together, now has three wins from six starts, all on turf.  With the winner’s share of $43,200, she increased her earnings to $136,820.

Ridden patiently down the hill by Juan Hernandez, longshot Sensible Cat had one horse beat while about four lengths off the lead approaching the quarter pole and rallied well to finish second, a half length in front of Irish-bred Spirit of Bermuda.  Off at 20-1, Sensible Cat paid $12.60 and $8.60.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Spirit of Bermuda, who loomed menacingly at the top of the lane, was third best on the day and paid $5.00 to show while off at 9-1.

Fractions on the race were 22.55, 44.32 and 1:07.15.

Racing resumes with a nine-race card on Saturday.  First post time is at 12:30 p.m. and admission gates open at 10:30 a.m.