San Carlos

Just as it appeared the dark bay colt was out of the race, Aase Headley and

Marsha Naify's SURF CAT (Sir Cat) made a strong rally in the stretch to annex

the $150,000

San Carlos H. (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Sent off as the

heavy 8-5 favorite, the Bruce Headley trainee rated near the back of the pack

while Brand Name (Unbridled's Song) set splits of :22 3/5 and :45 1/5 with Major

Success (Mazel Trick) closely in tow.

Jockey Alex Solis roused Surf Cat into action coming four-deep into the stretch and

the pair pulled clear after the sixteenth pole en route

to completing seven furlongs in 1:22. It was Solis' fourth win of the day.

"He's a great horse," Solis said. "I think he's going to do better this year.

He's more mature. The best thing about him is, when he goes long, he shows that

nice, high cruising speed."

The winning colt gave back $5.40, $3.20 and $2.80 while keying a $1 exacta of

$7.60, $1 trifecta of $139.20 and a $1 superfecta which gave back $476.20

(7-8-5-6). Major Success held on to the place 2 1/4 lengths behind to return $3

and $3 at 2-1. Oceanus (Brz) (Rainbow Corner [GB]) received the bronze and paid

$7.40 at 37-1. Jet West (Western Fame) rounded out the superfecta while Ulistnintome (Wild Rush), Imperialism (Langfuhr), Congrats (A.P. Indy) and Brand

Name

completed the order of finish.

"We had him ready but I was scared of (Bobby) Frankel's horse (Major Success)

to be truthful with you," Headley said. "But he (Surf Cat) ran really big.

We'll see how he pulls up and see what's next."

Bred in Kentucky by Bill Nicholls and Gainesway Farm, Surf Cat is out of the

winning Trust Greta (Centrust) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes

winner Rosie O'Greta (Flight Over) as well as a yearling colt by Rahy.

Purchased for just $25,000 at the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed

Sale, Surf Cat has compiled a 9-5-3-0 record with $412,420 in earnings. The

four-year-old comes off a three-length allowance victory in October, defeating multiple

stakes winner Texcess (In Excess [Ire]) after a bobbled start. This is his

second Grade 2 score, having captured the Swaps Breeders' Cup S. (G2) at Hollywood

Park last July.