Megahertz, the West Coast's leading female turf runner, will attempt to snare one major grass stake that has eluded her on Saturday when carrying top weight of 124 pounds in Hollywood Park's $200,000 Beverly Hills Handicap (gr. IIT) at 1 1/4 miles.The diminutive 6-year-old mare noted for her giant finishing kick failed in a bid to win the Beverly Hills two years ago when rallying for third behind victorious Voodoo Dancer and runner-up Dublino. Despite conceding at least nine pounds to any of her five opponents while carrying the most weight of her career, Megahertz should be the odds-on favorite.Since being imported to the United States from France by owner Michael Bello just prior to her 3-year-old season, the British-bred Megahertz has won 11 stakes races in 22 starts. With regular rider Alex Solis in the saddle, she has won 10 times in 17 starts. "I've never ridden a horse that has that kind of foot," Solis remarked recently. Megahertz had been scheduled to make her seasonal debut at Hollywood Park in the $350,000 Gamely Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IT) on May 30, but trainer Bobby Frankel balked at her weight assignment of 124 pounds at that time.She carried a career-high 123 pounds when rallying from 21 lengths off the pace to take Santa Anita's Santa Barbara Handicap (gr. IIT) for a third successive year in her last start on April 17. It was the fourth time the 800-pound chestnut had borne 123 pounds. Megahertz has amassed career earnings of $1,691,594 from a record of 12-5-5 in 30 lifetime starts. The log includes a single victory when racing eight times as a 2-year-old in France, often against males.Like Megahertz, two of her opponents will bring two-race winning streaks into the Beverly Hills: Agata and Winendynme. They are weighted at 115 pounds as is Uraib, a graded stakes winner who was fourth behind Megahertz in the Santa Barbara.
Winendynme has won two restricted stakes races and will be going farther than a mile for the first time in her career in her initial start for trainer Doug O'Neill. Uraib won the Buena Vista Handicap (gr. III) when it was transferred from the Santa Anita turf to a sloppy main track Feb. 21. $200,000 Beverly Hills Handicap (gr. IIT), fillies & mares 3 & up, 1 1/4 miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight
1. Halo Ola, Jose Valdivia Jr., 114
2. Five Nickels, Tyler Baze, 112
3. Uraib, Jon Court, 115
4. Agata, Victor Espinoza, 115
5. Megahertz, Alex Solis, 124
6. Winendynme, Corey Nakatani, 115