Megantic snatches win from Better Talk Now

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Megantic rallied down the center of the course to win the $60,000 Battlefield Stakes Saturday afternoon at Monmouth Park.

Megantic, 6, has blossomed into a solid stakes runner this season. Trainer Norman Pointer claimed him from Bill Mott for $62,500 at Gulfstream Park in March 2003 and has reaped the rewards.

"He's a Theatrical and they mature with age," said Pointer. "It looks like he might be coming into his own."

Megantic ($7.60) ran the 1 1/8 miles over the firm course in 1:48.

Megantic had run third in Grade 2 Pan American Handicap at Gulfstream and fourth in the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes at Pimlico in his previous two starts.

Although ungraded, the Battlefield attracted a strong field, including multiple stakes winner Del Mar Show.

The New Jersey-bred American Freedom set a slow pace with Megantic settled in third.

Rounding the final turn, Better Talk Now and Del Mar Show launched their rallies.

It appeared Better Talk Now had all the momentum when he took the lead in the final eighth. The advantage quickly melted as Megantic kicked into high gear.

"He was pulling me real hard early," said jockey Julian Pimentel. "I was just trying to get him to relax. I wanted to save as much ground as possible. I waited until we turned for home and just angled him out. That's when he took off."

Megantic defeated Better Talk Now by 1 1/2 lengths with Del Mar Show third.

In Monmouth's other Saturday stakes, Mistda ($6.80) made an explosive move on the final turn to capture the $60,000 Revidere Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile.

With Jose Ferrer aboard, Mistda surged between rivals on the final turn and drew away to a 4 1/4-length win in 1:36.94.

"When I asked, she took off like a rocket," said Ferrer. "She split horses and zipped to the front. After that, she just flew home."

It was the first start outside of New York for Mistda, who had compiled a record of three wins in eight starts, primarily against New York-breds.

"Richard sent her to me in great shape," said Larry Walters, who trains the Monmouth division for Richard Dutrow Jr. "She loves this track and she loves to run at this speed."

Menifeeque was second with Fall Fashion third.

Marylebone, the winner of the Grade 1 Matron Stakes at Belmont last September, stumbled at the start and finished fourth.