Megahertz (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
SA- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
January 16, 2017

Just two races is all it took for me to write about my first dead heat of 2017.  Dead heats are never really all that fun to talk about after they are done, because you can’t talk about a true winner.  Instead, there are two winners, My Lady and Glow Bright, allowing trainers Sheffler Stables and John Henry to collect $40.000 a piece for winning the grade 3.  R Bejarano and Mario Gutierrez share the win on the jockey side as the second edition of the Megahertz was run in a time of 1:33.52.  Congratulations to the winners!

1st- 2 (dh)- My Lady (6/1)- While her co-winner was out on the lead and setting the early fractions, this winner from Sheffler Stables was content to run near the back of the pack at that point.  As the field moved into the backstretch, Mario Gutierrez had his entry in the fifth position with about four lengths to make up.  Stayed at that gap during the backstretch, and started to make her move toward the front while in the final turn.  Still had two and a half lengths to make up at the top of the stretch, but she was in great stride and bearing down on the leaders.   However, when it appeared as though her path would take her right into Glow Bright, that one was very courteous to her and moved down a lane by running into Spanish Fly with about 0.4 furlongs to go.  That was just enough for her to get up and pull into a dead heat with Glow Bright at the end.  The time of the co-win was 1:33.52!  My Lady is a four year old filly by Iron Khaki and out of Madam Sin (Die Laffin).  She was bred as a third quarter two year old in New York by Calia Stables and was acquired by Sheffler Stables in the September 2016 auction for $140.000.  Congratulations to the connections!

1st- 6 (dh)- Glow Bright (9/1)- The other winner today, trained by John Henry, would be the quickest out of the gate as she jumped out to the lead.  At a quarter, which ran in :23.24, she extended the advantage to almost a length and a half, and not much changed at a half either, as that fraction was set in :46.34.   Remained strong into the turn, but as she moved into the stretch, Spanish Fly was getting ready to make a pass.  It would be a pass that would never come, as Glow Bright dug down deep to hold that one off.   Still, there were other ones to hold off, especially My Lady.  Glow Bright and R Bejarano was very polite to her co-winner in the stretch by moving down a lane to allow that one room for a more clear run, and nudged Spanish Fly late while the stewards were on their coffee break.  Taking nothing away from her, though, she showed a lot of heart and needed all of it to get a share of this win!  Glow Bright is a four year old filly by El Gran La Maison and out of the late Divine Freedom.  She was bred in New Jersey as a third quarter two year old by Golden Stables, and was acquired by John Henry, via Australia Wide, in private sales this past August for $80.000.  Congratulations to the connections!

3rd- 5- Spanish Fly (3/2)-   The surprising post time favorite from Our Athletes got off to a good start, and seemed to handle the opening turn well.  At the top of the backstretch, she ran along side Lucky You in a fight for second.  Stayed about a length and a half back over the backstretch, and as they moved into the stretch, she began to put more heat on Glow Bright as she pulled up alongside.   Looked good at this point but could not get clear of Glow Bright.  Got nudged towards the wire by that one, but there are no inquiries in our game.

4th- 1- Captain Caveman (3/1)- The Aer Stables entry had no interest in the early pace and would settle in towards the rear of the field when they moved around the opening turn.  She was able to keep herself glued to the rail in the early moments to stay out of trouble early, but would have to maneuver around Lucky You in the turn.  Ran with a high level of competitive flair in the stretch, but this would only get her closer.

 5th- 4- Lucky You (8/1)- Making her debut for Maxmillion Farm, Lucky You was good out of the gate and stalked the pace setting Glow Bright around the opening turn.  Did not seemed to be bothered when she was passed by Spanish Fly, and looked to split them as we moved into the turn.  Seemed ok as they moved into the stretch, but others simply outran her at that point.

6th- 3- Catienus (61/1)- The huge longshot form D J C Racing Stables started in the middle of the pack.  Ran fourth at the top of the backstretch with about three lengths to make up.  Lost some ground in the backstretch.  Remained back there around the turn and had no response when it came time for the stretch run.

7th- 7- Eva The Diva (9/2)-   Eva was never herself in this race, as she went right to the back and never would be able to advance.  The Our Athletes Mare was running for the second time in nine days, and she simply looked like a tired race horse.

Track: Firm
Time: :23¹  :46¹  1:09²  1:33²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 6 Paid 66.50, 6 – 2 Paid 25.40
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 6 – 5 Paid 46.00, 6 – 2 – 5 Paid 30.30

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES