Megahertz Looks Up to Speed

With his top 3-year-olds Empire Maker and Peace Rules waiting for their next challenges on April 12 in New York and Kentucky, respectively, trainer Bobby Frankel will try to win another graded stakes with a 4-year-old filly this afternoon.

Megahertz, who has won five of eight since arriving from France more than a year ago, is the likely favorite against seven others in the $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The Grade II is the fifth leg of a pick six with a carryover of $113,926.

Owned by Michael Bello, the 4-year-old daughter of English sire Pivotal has only one bad race in eight she has run for Frankel, a sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup Oct. 12.

Otherwise, Megahertz has never been worse than second and she has won three of four on the Santa Anita turf course. A winner twice at the Santa Ana distance, she will be ridden, as usual, by Alex Solis.

The mare she has to fear most is Garden In The Rain. Claimed by trainer Jeff Mullins for active owner Richard Englander for $50,000 last Oct. 12, the 6-year-old has two wins and two seconds in five subsequent races.

Race of the day: Man From Wicklow will aim for his third win in a row in the $200,000 Pan American Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf.

Who’s hot: Darrell Vienna. The trainer is winning with 25% of his starters at Golden Gate Fields.

Who’s not: The field in today’s fifth at Golden Gate. The eight maiden claimers are a combined zero for 96.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Vodka And Tonic and Commander’s Flag in the first, It Was Meant To Be and Boca Dream in the second and Discernment and Luzern in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/174. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$978.80. Total money bet: $1,078.