Megahertz rallies to win U.S. bow

ARCADIA, Calif. - Megahertz did not make a favorable first impression in Wednesday's $76,300 Blue Norther Stakes.

She spotted the other seven 3-year-old fillies a few lengths after a slow start, surprising jockey Alex Solis.

"She stood there and after a second I said, 'Let's go,' " Solis said.

Megahertz got the message. Closing from as far as eight lengths off the pace, Megahertz squeezed her way between fillies in the stretch to win her U.S. debut by 1 1/4 lengths.

Owned by Michael Bello, Megahertz ($23.80) gave trainer Bobby Frankel a 1-2 sweep as Nunatall, the 8-5 favorite, held second. La Martina finished third. Megahertz ran a mile on turf in 1:35.74. Even on the final turn, her chances seemed slim. Sixth in early stretch, she rallied between Nunatall and Forty on Line to take command in the final sixteenth.

"She got into the race and was very impressive," Solis said. "I found one little hole and fortunately she had enough to get through." The first three finishers were imported from Europe last fall - Megahertz and Nunatall last raced in France, while La Martina was previously campaigned in England.

The disappointment of the race was Forty on Line, who won the $200,000 Miesque Stakes at Hollywood Park in late November. She led early, but faded in the final furlong to finish 5 1/4 lengths behind Megahertz.

Frankel said Megahertz would be considered for the $75,000 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita on April 13, while Nunatall would be pointed for the $100,000 La Habra Stakes on the hillside turf course March 1.