La Sardane could notch first California win in Megahertz Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – La Sardane has been part of trainer Neil Drysdale’s stable for more than 18 months. During that span, she has won three times, including two stakes at Belmont Park last year.

La Sardane has yet to win in California, but that could occur as soon as Monday’s Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Owned by Team Valor International, La Sardane will have her second start at Santa Anita in the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes. In the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at a mile on turf here Nov. 4, La Sardane raced wide throughout and finished last of eight.

Race tactics went against La Sardane that day, Drysdale said. La Sardane raced outside and needed to be behind rivals early in the race to be at her best.

“She never got covered up,” Drysdale said.

Following the Goldikova, La Sardane was given a brief rest through November before resuming workouts in December.

“I backed off of her,” Drysdale said.

A 5-year-old mare, La Sardane has won 5 of 13 starts and earned $331,911. She was a Group 2 winner in France in June 2017 in what turned out to be her final start that season. Last year, the highlights of her season were wins in the Grade 3 Intercontinental Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7 and the Perfect Sting Stakes there three weeks later.

The field for the Megahertz is led by Vasilika, who won eight consecutive starts last year, including three graded stakes. Other probable starters are Amandine, Last Promise Kept, Ms Bad Behavor, and Zaffinah.

Las Cienegas downgraded

The $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 12 has been downgraded from a Grade 3 to listed status after the race was moved from turf to dirt because of inclement weather. The American Graded Stakes Committee announced the decision earlier this week after reviewing the race.

The Las Cienegas Stakes, which was scheduled for about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course and run at 6 1/2 furlongs, drew a field of nine, but had only four starters.

The race was immediately downgraded when the surface switch was announced. The committee then reviewed the race for possible reinstatement of graded status.

The race was won by Belvoir Bay, a multiple stakes winner.