Drop from graded stakes helps It Tiz get the job done in Megahertz

ARCADIA, Calif.- It Tiz had no success against California’s top 3-year-old fillies last year, losing four graded stakes.

For her 4-year-old debut in Sunday’s $79,150 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita, she faced one of the circuit’s top older turf females in Eclair de Lune. This time, It Tiz was more than up to the task.

Ridden by David Flores for trainer Mark Glatt, It Tiz ($18) closed from fifth to win the one-mile turf race by a half-length over Lilly Fa Pootz. Eclair de Lune, the even-money favorite, could only finish fourth, racing at the back of the field of six fillies and mares for much of the race.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano said that Eclair de Lune failed to settle.

“She never relaxed,” he said. “She tried to lug out on the first turn and the second turn.”

It Tiz was fourth or fifth for the first half-mile, well off the pace of Southern Fireball, who set a quick pace of 22.98 and 46.83 seconds. It Tiz was fourth after six furlongs, but was only 3 1/2 lengths behind Southern Fireball, who still led by 1 1/4 lengths. It Tiz rallied wide in the stretch to take the lead over the final quarter-mile from Lilly Fa Pootz, who was in front at the eighth pole.

It Tiz was timed in 1:34.83.

“It took a little bit of work to get her to relax, but she made a great run,” Flores said.

Lilly Fa Pootz finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of Burg Berg, who was second early.

It Tiz, by Tiznow, has won 4 of 14 starts and $259,295 for owners Allen and Susan Branch of Los Gatos, Calif.

It Tiz won the minor Le Cle Stakes at Hollywood Park last July, but was fifth in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes and Grade 3 Harold Ramser Stakes, sixth in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes, and eighth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, all races for 3-year-olds in 2010.

“We thought this was an easier race than some of her races,” Glatt said. “There were good horses she’d been running against. She did have a tough summer.”

Glatt said that It Tiz will be considered for graded stakes in coming months, hoping that the filly’s win on Sunday will restore her confidence.

“I think she’s capable of winning one,” Glatt said.