The Little Filly That Could

The little filly (and later mare) that could, she may be tiny, but she can pack a kick. Those are some words to describe the incomparable Pivotal filly Megahertz. Sometimes she played second fiddle to horses such as Tate's Creek, Intercontinental, Ouija Board, Film Maker and Riskaverse. However, she showed that despite her small size, her heart was huge.

Even though she was born in England, Megahertz raced in two countries: France and the US. Her record in France was not that great, however once she landed in the States, she blossomed. Under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, Megahertz showed she was the real deal. In 2002, her first race for Frankel and owner Michael Bello, she won the Blue Norther Stakes. Later that same year she won the G2 Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap and the American Oaks via disqualification (the latter at that time was an ungraded stakes race). In July of 2003, she finally won her first G1 race, the John C. Mabee Handicap. In that race, she upset her stablemate Tate's Creek (the ½ sister to Azeri's arch rival Sightseek), and Dublino, the filly that was DQ'ed in the previous year's American Oaks. Her final race of 2003 resulted in a fifth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, finishing in front of Tate's Creek, Riskaverse (who beat her the previous year), Bien Nicole and Musical Chimes among others.

In 2004, Megahertz was DQ'ed from the Santa Ana Handicap after winning the race. This was due to her interfering with another horse. After finishing second to last in the BC F/M Turf, she faced the boys for the only time in her US career. She finished 2nd by a head behind Pellegrino in the Hollywood Turf Cup, finishing ahead of Cal-Bred superstar Moscow Burning (another one of my favorite fillies/mares) and 04 BC Turf winner Better Talk Now. 2005 was her final year of racing, where there where many highs and lows to the year. There was the redemption of winning the Santa Ana after finishing third, and being DQ'ed the previous two years. The heartbreak of losing the Beverly D by a neck, and her very disappointing final race in the BC F/M Turf where she saw her stablemate Intercontinental, go gate to wire.

The following two videos are of her final two wins, the Santa Barbara Handicap and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes. I hope that you enjoy these videos of this fine filly.





Now owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson (of Barbaro, Nicanor and Lentenor fame), Megahertz has currently 3 foals on the ground. A 3yo named Causeithertz (by Giant's Causeway), a 2yo filly named Littlegreatone (by Bernardini), and an unnamed Street Cry colt. Hopefully these foals are able to follow in their mothers footsteps with the same tenacity she displayed on the track.

The Good Ole Switcheroo

You may or may not have heard: Eskendereya, who is on the top of many people's Derby lists (mine is not one of them), will be skipping the Florida Derby and going to the Wood Memorial instead. His stablemate Rule will be replacing him in the G1 race at Gulfstream this upcoming Saturday. This means that the son of Roman Ruler will be going into the Run to the Roses on a six week layoff. It had been previously announced that Eskendereya would be going to the Florida Derby, and Rule would be going to the Wood. Then I read that he might be going to the LA Derby. That's when my head started to spin a little bit.

I'm not a huge fan of the Florida Derby, even though both Barbaro and Big Brown won the race before their wins in the KY Derby. Gulfstream is a speed favoring track which is to Rule's advantage, but there are concerns with distance limitations (he seems to get tired towards the end of his past 2 races, the Delta Jackpot and the Sam F. Davis, both of which he won). His dam Rockcide's side I don't see him having too much problem. Even though she never broke her maiden, Rockcide is the half sister to two winners Coincide (who now is standing somewhere in South America, I think Venuzuela), and of course Funny Cide. Her sire, Personal Flag won at a mile and quarter and is a full brother to great Personal Ensign. Roman Ruler's best races where at a mile and eighth or less, although he did finish third in the Travers.

That being said, Rule has already gone a mile and sixteenth, so a mile and a eighth shouldn't be a problem. And hopefully a mile and a quarter either, but only time will tell. Other horses heading to the FL Derby include: Ice Box, Soaring Empire, Radiohead, and Lententor. Yes THAT Lententor the full brother to Barbaro. This is the big race that I will be previewing on Friday.

In a few weeks, there will be a post on one of these three fillies. A few days before I post the post, I will announce who the filly who is going to be profiled, and the winner will have bragging rights.

Here are your three choices:







So it's either Megahertz, Riskaverse or My Typhoon who I'm profiling. Leave a comment on this post (please allow time for me to approve the post), and the one(s) who guess right will then be put into a drawing and the winner will be able to write a post about their favorite horse. Stay tuned for more details on this soon

Remembering Bobby Frankel

I had just gotten home from breakfest and put on my IPod was saddened to see on Echofon (Twitter app), that Bobby Frankel had lost his battle with cancer. I'll be honest with you, while he was not one of my favorite trainers he really did care for his animals.

I cried with tears of sadness when Empire Maker had beaten Funny Cide in the Belmont. And was happy for him when Ventura and Champs Elysees won the Woodbine Mile and Candidian International this year respectivly. By far Megahertz, Peace Rules, Ventura, Champs Elysees, and Mass Media will go down as my favorite Frankel trainees.

Here is a video of the little ball of dynamite that is Megahertz winning the 2005 Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita.