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Surf Cat sails to impressive Mervyn LeRoy
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Surf Cat rode a winning wave to glory in the Mervyn LeRoy
(Benoit Photo) |
Aase Headley and Marsha Naify's SURF CAT (Sir Cat) proved much the best in
Saturday's $150,000
Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2), launching a scintillating run midway
on the far turn that carried him from last to first by the top of the stretch.
He cruised to the finish unopposed, winning by 3 1/2 lengths under Alex Solis,
and covered 1 1/16 miles over the fast track in a very respectable 1:40 3/5. The
Bruce Headley-trained colt will have to face tougher company in his upcoming
starts, but Surf Cat looks like a force to be reckoned with wherever he runs.Breaking a step slowly from the starting gate at 1-5, Surf Cat trailed his
four rivals into the first turn and remained at the back of the pack while
Spellbinder (Tale of the Cat) carved fractions in :23 2/5 and :46 3/5. After six
furlongs had been completed in 1:09 4/5, Surf Cat kicked into gear, moving
sharply up the rail on the far turn before swinging out three wide approaching
the stretch. The four-year-old blew past his rivals and quickly opened up on the
field.
"Around the turn he felt like a train going down a hill," Solis
exclaimed. "He is very powerful, just a great horse. He is way better
this year."
Headley said he didn't pay much attention until the late stages of the race.
"Then I saw lightning flash," the conditioner said. "That was some
kinda move. It's really a thrill to have a horse like this."
The lowest-priced Mervyn LeRoy winner since Spectacular Bid in 1980, Surf Cat
paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10. Spellbinder held off Dixie Meister (Holzmeister) by
1 1/2 lengths for the place, giving back $2.20 and $2.10 at 4-1, and the 7-1
Dixie Meister returned $2.10. The salty exacta paid $5.20 for $2, and the 1-2-5
trifecta totaled $10. Keep on Punching (Silver Deputy) and Gallardo (Running
Stag) came next under the wire. Timias (Seeking the Gold) was scratched.
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Bred in Kentucky by William Taylor Nicholls and Gainesway Farm, Surf Cat was
purchased for $25,000 at the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed
Sale and is out
of the winning Trust Greta (Centrust), who is also the dam of Grade 3 winner
Rosie o'Greta (Fight Over) as well as a yearling colt by Rahy.
With Saturday's $90,000
payday, Surf Cat has now earned $562,420 from an 11-7-2-0 record. He's won seven
of his last nine starts, including scores in the Swaps Breeders' Cup S. (G2), San
Carlos H. (G2) and Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup H. (G2), with his only setbacks
being a narrow second in the Affirmed H. (G3) and a sixth in the Pacific Classic
(G1).
Surf Cat could make his next start in The Californian S. (G2) on June 17.
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