Megahertz rallies to win Santa Barbara

ARCADIA, Calif. - Overcoming trouble on the final turn, Megahertz rallied wide in deep stretch to win the ninth stakes of her career in Saturday's $200,000 at Santa Anita.

The win gave Megahertz consecutive victories in the Grade 2 Santa Barbara, the championship race of the winter-spring meeting for turf females.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Megahertz ($2.80) ran 1 1-4 miles on turf in 2:00.71. Last for the first mile, Megahertz attempted to close ground between Mandela and Star Vega on the final turn but was caught in traffic, forcing Solis to check.

Solis said he was bothered when Star Vega drifted into his path.

"My filly is very smart, she kind of eased up and I got her to the outside," Solis.

Megahertz.

Once clear, Megahertz quickly wore down Noches de Rosa who had a two-length lead in mid-stretch.

"I didn't realize it was that bad," Frankel said of the traffic while watching the replay.

Megahertz finished a length in front of Noches de Rosa, who was 2 1-2 lengths clear of the Frankel-trained Mandela. Megahertz and Mandela were not coupled. Uraib and Star Vega completed the order of finish.

Megahertz, who races for Michael Bello, has won 10 of 25 starts and $1,369,094. Megahertz, 5, won the San Gorgonio Handicap in January but was disqualified from first to last in the Santa Ana Handicap on March 27 for causing interference in early stretch.