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Surf Cat rallies for San Carlos Aase Headley and Marsha Naify's SURF CAT (Sir Cat) returned to the winner's circle in Saturday's $150,000 San Carlos H. (G2), swinging wide into the stretch and rallying boldly to catch a game Greg's Gold (Lake George) in deep stretch. With the half-length decision, the Bruce Headley runner secured his first victory since capturing the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) 21 months ago, and the six-year-old horse improved his overall mark to 16-8-5-1, $795,420. Surf Cat finished seven furlongs over Santa Anita's Cushion Track in 1:21 3/5. Johnny Eves (Skimming) flashed speed as expected but came under early pressure from Greg's Gold while establishing splits in :23 1/5 and :45 3/5. Surf Cat rated well off the pace down the backstretch and began to improve his positioning on the far turn, but he still had several rivals to pass entering the stretch drive. The dark bay found his best stride in the straightaway, closing fast on the far outside under Alex Solis. The 5-2 second choice paid $7, $3.40 and $2.80 while keying the $11.80 exacta ($1) with the 7-2 Greg's Gold, who gave back $4 and $3. Soul City Slew (Slew City Slew) finished another 1 1/4 lengths back in third while never a threat and returned $3.60 at 8-1. The 5-4-1 trifecta ($1) yielded $62.70. Johnny Eves, the 9-5 favorite, came next under the wire and was followed by Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch), Men Only (Gentlemen [Arg]) and Cooperation (Halo's Image). Bred in Kentucky by William Taylor Nicholls and Gainesway Farm, Surf Cat is out of the winning Centrust mare Trust Greta, making him a half-brother to Grade 3 victress Rosie O'greta (Fight Over), and a yearling colt named Surf King (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]). After bringing $25,000 at the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February Yearling Sale, Surf Cat RNA'ed for $45,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale. Surf Cat dropped his first two career starts, but then won seven of his next nine, with scores in the Swaps S. (G2), Potrero Grande H. (G2), Mervyn LeRoy and the 2006 edition of the San Carlos. All of his previous wins came on dirt. Surf Cat entered Saturday's race off a third in the January 21 Palos Verdes H. (G2), and he's placed in a total of four black-type events. Headley mentioned that Surf Cat would aim for the 6 1/2-furlong Potrero Grande on April 5.
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