Katdogawn was awarded victory in Saturday's $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap (gr. IIT) when 3-5 favorite Megahertz was disqualified for interference in the stretch at Santa Anita Park.
Megahertz made a powerful five-wide sweep and went from last to first in the stretch to win the 1 1/8-mile turf event for older fillies and mares by one length. But the classy 5-year-old chestnut mare, ridden by Victor Espinoza at high weight of 120 pounds, ducked in sharply in mid-stretch and caused both Arabic Song and Sweetshew to steady, losing all chance for victory.
After a six-minute review, the stewards disqualified Megahertz and placed her last in the seven-horse field.
Katdogawn, who rallied smartly to finish second, was moved up to first place for the third grade II victory of her career. Ridden by Mike Smith at 117 pounds, Katdogawn paid $12.60, $5.60 and $4.80. Jim Cassidy is the trainer for owners Jim Ford, Deron Pearson and John Cuchna."It worked out great for me," Smith said. "The winner ran a dynamite race but my mare ran a dynamite race too. I was very proud of her. Megahertz is a grade one mare and she's tough. Anytime you can get within a length of her you're on a serious horse."
Fun House, the original third-place finisher, was moved up to second place, and Arabic Song was promoted from fourth to third. Mandela, Go On Baby, Sweetshew and Megahertz completed the original order of finish. The final time on fast turf was 1:47 1/5.
Alex Solis, the regular rider on Megahertz, was in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, where he rode Pleasantly Perfect to victory in the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). That left Espinoza the pick-up mount on Megahertz for trainer Bobby Frankel.
"I had the best horse in the race but sometimes that happens," Espinoza said. "When I went around she made such a strong move, and she moved back to the inside and there were quite a few horses there. I tried to straighten her out as much as I could. I thought I was clear because she was really kicking it in, but I guess not."
Katdogawn has a 6-4-2 record from 17 starts. The $90,000 winner's share bumped her earnings to $450,645.
"Sometimes you get lucky," Cassidy said. "But she ran a great race and Megahertz isn't no slouch."
Smith and Espinoza, despite the disqualification on Megahertz, rode three winners apiece on the 10-race card.
(Chart, Equibase)
