Right at home and right on time.

Exline-Border Racing and partners' Gas Me Up (Hard Spun) rallied off a sensational pace over Santa Anita's downhill course to win Sunday's Gr2 Joe Herandez S. going away.

Turning back to 6 1/2 furlongs after contesting the Breeders' Cup Mile, the 5yo gelding out of Chic Thrill (Smart Strike) left a big impression on trainer Peter Eurton, with whom he was recently reunited.

“I haven’t been around him in a long time but he's blossomed into a beautiful horse,” said Eurton.

Mirco Demuro confidently swung Gas Me Up widest of all off the turn and under high weight of 125 lbs the 5yo rallied from last to first. The pair crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Sumter, who also came from well off the rapid fractions.

Originally based in southern California, the Sam-Son Farm-bred was reborn this summer in his native Ontario, winning the Gr2 King Edward S. and placing 3rd to subsequent Breeders' Cup winner Notable Speech in the Gr1 Woodbine Mile.

Chic Thrill's black-type production has picked up momentum over the past two seasons.

First in 2024 Gas Me Up's full-brother Give It a Whirl won Laurel Park's Bald Eagle Derby, and their 2yo 1/2 sister Cest Chouette (Gun Runner) is black-type placed this season.

Pennsylvania breeders Greg and Caroline Bentley acquired Chic Thrill, daughter of Canadian champion Catch the Thrill (A.P. Indy), for $300,000 out of the Sam-Son Broodmare Dispersal.

Notable Hard Spun progeny out of Smart Strike mares also include 2023 Woodbine Oaks winner Elysian Field and MGSW Sparkle Blue.

Breeders' Cup photo.