Megahertz Wins Blue Norther as Frankel-Trained Horses Sweep Exacta Spots

It took nine days, but trainer Bobby Frankel notched his first stakes win of the year when Megahertz rallied from the back of the field to win Wednesday's $76,300 Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita. Last year, Frankel-trained horses won 49 stakes races, 37 of them graded.

Megahertz, a 10-1 longshot making her first U.S. start, beat favored Nunatall by 1 1/4 lengths. Ridden by Alex Solis and carrying 116 pounds, Megahertz ran a mile on the firm turf course in 1:35.74 and paid $23.80, $9.40, and $4.80.

The win was the second in nine lifetime starts for Megahertz and was worth $45,780, raising the career earnings of the 3-year-old English-bred daughter of Pivotal to $70,246. Megahertz ran her previous eight races in France.

"She was very impressive," Solis said. "I found one little hole, and luckily she's a small filly and got through there."

Nunatall, also making her first U.S. start and also trained by Frankel, returned $4.40 and $2.60, and La Martina, who finished third in the race for 3-year-old fillies, paid $2.60 to show.

Megahertz and Nunatall were the second and third horses Frankel sent out in a stakes race this year. The Frankel-trained exacta paid $30.80 for each dollar wagered.

Michael Bello. Megahertz (Pivotal -- Heavenly Ray, by Rahy) was bred in Great Britain by Cheveley Park Stud Ltd. and is owned by Michael Bello. (Chart, Equibase)