Vasilika shows she still has it with victory in Megahertz Stakes
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ARCADIA, Calif. - In her first start of 2018, Vasilika won a $40,000 claimer at Santa Anita last February on the day she was taken by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
In her first start of 2019, Vasilika won Monday’s Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita, her fourth graded stakes win in her last five starts.
Vasilika won for the ninth time in 11 starts since being claimed. She has earned $669,528 in that span.
There were six starters in the $100,351 Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf, but only five finishers.
For the second consecutive day, a turf stakes was marred by a fatal breakdown. Last Promise Kept, a 29-1 outsider, suffered a severe injury to a hind leg on the backstretch of the Megahertz Stakes and was euthanized, track stewards said.
Vasilika won eight consecutive races, including three consecutive graded stakes, from early April to early November. The Megahertz Stakes was her first start since a fourth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 2.
“You’re worried coming off a layoff,” said Hollendorfer. “We thought we had her ready. She responded really well.”
The win came at a poignant time for the team behind Vasilika. Saturday, co-owner Dan Gatto died of an apparent heart attack, his son, Nick, said earlier on Monday. The family’s stable name is Gatto Racing and owns Vasilika with Hollendorfer, George Todaro and All Schlaich Stables.
Leading rider Flavien Prat rode Vasilika through her eight-race winning streak and the loss in the Matriarch. For the Megahertz, Vasilika was 3-5 and Prat retained the mount. Prat had Vasilika in a three-wide position behind early pacesetter Ms Bad Behavior and then La Sardane, who took the lead with a bold move on the backstretch.
Vasilika trailed La Sardane by about 1 1/2 lengths with a quarter-mile remaining. La Sardane faded from contention in early stretch, allowing Ms Bad Behavior to briefly reclaim the lead before Vasilika reached the front in the final furlong.
Ms Bad Behavior held second, a head in front of 36-1 Zaffinah, who was followed by La Sardane and Amandine.
Vasilika ($3.20) won by 1 1/2 lengths after mild urging, finishing in 1:34.82.
“Flavien did his usual great job,” Hollendorfer said.
Vasilika may return for the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on turf on Feb. 23, Hollendorfer said. A 5-year-old mare by Skipshot, Vasilika has won 14 of 29 starts and earned $818,595.