Catch the Thrill Provides Chill in Princess Elizabeth

Sam-Son Farm's homebred Catch the Thrill swept past Quiet Action in early stretch, then went on to post an impressive tally in the featured (Canadian) $250,800 Princess Elizabeth Stakes for Canadian-foaled 2-year-old fillies Saturday at Woodbine.

Ridden by Robert Landry for trainer Mark Frostad, the daughter of A.P.Indy-Catch the Ring (Seeking the Gold) was allowed to languish near the back of the pack for much of the 1 1/16-mile test on the Polytrack.

As pacesetter and 2-1 favorite Boldly Seductive began to shorten stride coming off the far turn, Quiet Action and jockey Patrick Husbands briefly moved to the fore turning for home. They were quickly confronted by an onrushing Catch the Thrill on the outside.

After taking over the lead in early stretch, Catch the Thrill gave her connections an anxious moment when she ducked to the rail, but was righted by Landry and prevailed by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:46.11. Play Mizzty for Me wound up third, while Boldly Seductive faded to fourth, with Dancer's Fan fifth. The latter two were trying to give Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield his 300th career stakes win. Banker's Street and Primetime Cat trailed.

"I've been lucky enough to ride her mom, Catch the Ring, and won the Oaks and a few other nice races on her," said Landry. "(Frostad) just wanted me to ride her as I found her. She ran today a lot like her mother did, coming from way back. It got a little scary moment around the eighth pole, though. She lost all her competition, and her ears kind of went up, and she ducked to the rail. I was just hoping no one was close that I would have interfered with anyone. She ran a tremendous race today."

Catch the Thrill's first three career outings came on the lawn. She finished second in her debut, then broke her maiden impressively going seven furlongs, before a troubled trip in the one-mile Natalma Sept. 10, when she finished seventh, almost seven lengths behind longshot winner Sprung.

"She's a beautifully-bred filly, a real nice filly, she trains well and is really uncomplicated," said Frostad. "We've always liked her from day one. We were just hoping she'd get to prove it out here, and she has."

It was the sixth time Sam-Son has won the prestigious event, but the first since Dancethruthedawn, also trained by Frostad, in 2000. Veteran Landry was recording his first Princess Elizabeth score.

As the fifth choice in the field of seven, Catch the Thrill - who picked up a pot of (Canadian) $150,000 - paid $13.60, $6.80, and $4.40, combining with Quiet Action ($3.30, $3) for a $56.60 (3-4) exacta. Play Mizzty for Me ($9) completed a trifecta worth $514.50.

(Chart, Equibase)