Insta Erma looks to continue ascension in Megahertz Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Insta Erma arrived in Southern California last summer with a second in the Lady Canterbury Stakes in Minnesota as her best result in a stakes.

Insta Erma begins her 2018 campaign Monday in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita as a stakes winner with a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes on Nov. 26 at Del Mar to her credit.

She had a pretty good second half of 2017.

“I’m pretty happy with her, and my clients are happy with her,” trainer Richard Baltas said.

Owned by a partnership that includes Medallion Racing, Premier Racing Club, and Little Red Feather Racing, Insta Erma has a win over the course and distance of the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares. A 5-year-old, Insta Erma won the restricted Swingtime Stakes at a mile on turf here in October.

Insta Erma may go favored in the Megahertz, which drew a field of eight. Baltas has high expectations.

“She’s ready, and she’s the horse to beat, in my opinion,” Baltas said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Insta Erma, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 98-96-95

◗ Insta Erma has won 4 of 15 starts and earned $245,852. She began her career with trainer Bill Mott, winning three of 12 starts. In the Lady Canterbury Stakes last June, Insta Erma led in the stretch and was beaten a neck.

◗ Baltas does not expect Insta Erma to be a factor in the Megahertz until the final quarter-mile.

“I think she’ll be coming from off the pace,” Baltas said.

Thundering Sky, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 84-94-92

◗ Thundering Sky was a game second in the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at a mile on turf Nov. 4 at Del Mar but was only 10th after a troubled trip in the Matriarch.

“She didn’t really show up in the Matriarch,” trainer George Weaver said by phone Friday from Florida.

“She got in tight and had to check her a couple of times.”

◗ Thundering Sky is most effective as a stalker. She won the Pebbles Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park in October 2016, with Insta Erma eighth.

◗ Thundering Sky has been second or third in two graded stakes and won the restricted De La Rose Stakes at a mile on turf at Saratoga last August.

◗ Flavien Prat replaces Rajiv Maragh on Thundering Sky, who has raced primarily at a mile.

“It’s the right distance,” Weaver said. “I like her at a mile.

“We don’t have any reason to think she won’t go back to her normal form.”

Laseen, by Dylan Thomas
Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-91

◗ Laseen was third in the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf Dec. 30, racing in traffic in the stretch under jockey Victor Espinoza before finishing three-quarters of a length behind Midnight Crossing.

“He had to check her pretty good,” trainer Jim Cassidy said.

◗ Laseen was winless in 10 starts in the United States in 2017, including a third in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap at Del Mar in November, when she raced in traffic in early stretch.

“She’s been unlucky the last few starts,” Cassidy said. “Maybe this is the breakthrough.”