Vasilika carries weight of expectations into Megahertz
ARCADIA, Calif. – The winning streak lasted eight races, ending with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 2.
From early April to early November, Vasilika was unbeatable in a span that included three consecutive graded stakes wins at Santa Anita and Del Mar. Not bad for a filly claimed for $40,000 last February.
That was last year. Vasilika begins her 2019 campaign in Monday’s Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita. Vasilika, 5, will be favored in a field of seven, and unlike last year she starts the season with significant expectations.
After all, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf will be run here in November. Last year, Vasilika earned a berth in the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs by winning the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita in September, but she did not run because she was not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program. Whether trainer and part-owner Jerry Hollendorfer and the rest of her owners invest the $100,000 this year to make her eligible depends on her form in the next several months.
“There are plenty of spots to run in around here and elsewhere,” Hollendorfer said on Friday morning.
Vasilika is the most accomplished runner in the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes. Her rivals include the 2018 stakes winners Amandine, La Sardane, and Ms Bad Behavior.
KEY CONTENDERS
Vasilika, by Skipshot
Last 3 Beyers: 96-102-99
◗ During her winning streak, Vasilika won three races at the Megahertz distance of a mile, including the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes here in November. In all her victories, Vasilika closed from several lengths off the pace to lead in the final furlong.
◗ In the one-mile Matriarch, Vasilika was within a half-length of the lead with a furlong remaining, but faded to finish two lengths behind winner Uni as the 2-1 favorite.
◗ Hollendorfer opted to skip the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes on Dec. 29 with Vasilika in favor of the Megahertz.
“I wanted to give her a little bit of a break,” Hollendorfer said. “We ran her quite a bit last year. She’s training well. It seems she’s been like that since I got her.”
Amandine, by Shamardal
Last 3 Beyers: 86-93-89
◗ Amandine, who came to the U.S. last fall after having raced in England, ran twice in the final week of December, winning the Lady of Shamrock Stakes at a mile on turf on Dec. 26 and finishing third in the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Dec. 29. Trainer Jeff Mullins said he was able to run Amandine in the American Oaks because she rebounded quickly after the Lady of Shamrock.
“She gave us every sign she was doing fine,” he said. “She got a stakes win and a Grade 1 stakes-placing.”
◗ Those races were for 3-year-old fillies, although Amandine won an optional claimer at Del Mar against older in November in her first start in the U.S.
◗ Amandine is a threat from off the pace.
La Sardane, by Kingsalsa
Last 3 Beyers: 84-83-92
◗ Winner of two stakes at Belmont Park last June, La Sardane was eighth in the Goldikova in her latest start.
◗ Trained by Neil Drysdale, La Sardane can lead or stalk the pace.
