5th-SAR, $99,600, Msw, 8-12, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:04.89, ft.
+BIG THRILL, f, 2, by Big Drama
1st Dam: Twilight Mirage (SP, $159,829), by Jeblar
2nd Dam: Sassy'N Proud, by Al Nasr (Fr)
3rd Dam: Straight Street, by Never Bend
Big Thrill lived up to the hype and her name with an impressive last-to-first victory on debut at Saratoga Wednesday. Bought back by breeder/consignor Eddie Woods for $47,000 at the OBS August sale last term, the dark bay brought $410,000 from the Triumphant Trio, a newly formed ownership group consisting of trainer Linda Rice, Iris Smith and Sheila Rosenblum, at this year's OBS April sale after breezing a bullet quarter-mile in :20.3. (Click here for a sale story on Big Thrill and here for a feature on Rosenblum and the Triumphant Trio) Displaying a solid string of works on the dirt both here and at Belmont, she was sent off as the 7-2 second choice behind $440,000 KEESEP purchase Tizasong (Tiznow) in this off-the-turf unveiling. Away slowest of all after hopping up in the gate at the start, Big Thrill caboosed the field through the initial stages, but was already starting to roll as they hit the first quarter in :22.18. Inhaling the field after a half in :46.14, the juvenile slipped through a seam to seize command in early stretch, and seemed to sprout wings as she effortlessly cruised clear under a hand ride from Jose Ortiz to win by four lengths. Big Thrill, a half-sister to Determinato (Closing Argument), MSW, $405,112, is the sixth winner for her freshman sire (by Montbrook). J R Star (Eskendereya), who was entered for main track only, was the runner-up and Tizasong completed the trifecta. The winner's dam produced a full brother to Big Thrill last year and did not have a foal this year, but was bred back to Maclean's Music. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $59,760. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Lady Sheila Stable, Iris Smith Stable & Linda Rice. B-Quarter Pole Enterprises LLC (FL). T-Linda Rice.
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