Big Thrill’s moniker was more than appropriate on Wednesday afternoon as the 2-year-old daughter of Big Drama rolled to a four-length career debut victory in a $99,600 maiden special weight affair at Saratoga. The visually stunning victory earned her a “TDN Rising Star” tag, the first such for her sire.
Out of the gate at a leisurely pace, Big Thrill found herself quickly in the back of the nine horse field. Settling into stride nicely, she had to check sharply after going a quarter mile. Around the turn, Jose Ortiz guided her between and around horses as she rapidly closed on the leaders.
Finding a seam at the head of the stretch, the dark bay filly once again powered effortlessly by her foes, striking the front and not letting up in the stretch, getting the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.89 on a fast track.
Big Thrill collected $59,760 for her owners Lady Sheila Stable, Iris Smith Stable and Linda Rice, the latter also her trainer. The winner brought a $410,000 bid from her owners at this year’s OBS April 2-year-olds sale after breezing a bullet quarter-mile in :20.3.
Big Thrill is the sixth winner for her sire, who currently ranks fourth on the First-Crop Sire list. He stood this year at Bridlewood Farm for $10,000 live foal.
