British-bred Megahertz, who reeled off her fifth straight United States triumph in Hollywood Park's inaugural running of the $500,000 American Oaks in July, returns on Saturday as the 124-pound high weight among ten entrants in the $125,000 Matiara Stakes.
The Matiara contests 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles over the Lakeside Turf Course.
Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel's chestnut filly returns to Hollywood Park from Keeneland, where she turned in the one dull performance of her 3-year-old season in the U.S., finishing sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II (gr. IT) at odds of 2-1.
A troubled trip and less than firm turf course at Keeneland might have accounted for her subpar showing. Megahertz had been little short of dazzling in six previous races in this country.
After beginning her career in France in 2001, Megahertz won three stakes at Santa Anita. She took the Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park, won the American Oaks by disqualification when Dublino was disqualified for stretch interference, then missed by a nose to victorious Dublino in the Del Mar Oaks.
Regular rider Alex Solis will be aboard the filly, earner of $600,180 this year for owner Michael Bello. Overall, she has won six of 15 starts with two seconds and two thirds.
Secret Garden, conditioned by English trainer John Gosden for Robert Sangster, will make her U.S. debut following a 5 1/2-length victory in the Miles & Morrison Stakes at Ascot in England on Oct. 12.
Alozaina, who is trained by Hall of Famer Ron McAnally, defeated Megahertz in the Queen Elizabeth II when finishing fourth, but had finished close behind the other filly in three previous meetings.
Nunatall, also from the Frankel barn, captured the Lake George Stakes (gr. IIT) at Saratoga in July after chasing Megahertz in two earlier races.
$125,000 Matiara, 1 1/8 mile on turf, 3-year-old filliesPP. Horse, Jockey, Wgt.
1. Keys To The Heart, Omar Berrio, 115
2. Magical Nature, Felipe Martinez, 115
3. Alozaina, Laffit Pincay Jr., 115
4. Secret Garden, David Flores, 115
5. Crousille, Mike Smith, 115
6. Kithira, Marco Ramirez, 117
7. Company B, Kent Desormeaux, 119
8. Sentimental Value, Victor Espinoza, 119
9. Megahertz, Solis, 124
10. Nunatall, Corey Nakatani, 121
