26 Abr. USA. Mervyn LeRoy H. G2. Hollywood Park. 8,5f. AW. 150.000 $
1.- SURF CAT (A.Solis)
2.- DESERT CODE (A.Gryder)
3.- GLOBAL HUNTER (O.Berrio)


Multiple Grade 2 winner Surf Cat overtook pacesetter Desert Code in deep stretch and earned a half-length win in the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (G2) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The race was Surf Cat’s first start at 1 1/16 miles since the Sir Cat horse won the 2006 Mervyn LeRoy.

Aase Headley’s and Marsha Naify’s Surf Cat chased the early pace in fifth through a quarter-mile in :23.42, more than 3 1/2 lengths behind multiple Grade 3 winner Desert Code. Racing in fourth in early stretch under jockey Alex Solis, Surf Cat unleashed a determined late run and gamely rallied on the outside of Desert Code.

“I thought this race set up perfect because he had a couple of nice speed horses out in front of him,” trainer Bruce Headley said. “Alex got him to relax and it seems like that’s his best race, when he relaxes like that.”

Desert Code led multiple group stakes winner Global Hunter (Arg) by a half-length in early stretch. Surf Cat was positioned near the inside rail at the start, rallied after being shifted out, and won in 1:41.13 on Hollywood’s synthetic Cushion Track surface.

Desert Code finished one length in front of Global Hunter, who was making his North American debut.

Surf Cat made each of his three previous start this season at Santa Anita and entered off a runner-up finish in the Potrero Grande Handicap (G2) on April 5. The dark bay or brown horse won the San Carlos Handicap (G2) on February 16.

A half brother to Grade 3 winner Rosie O’Greta, Surf Cat earned his ninth win in 18 starts and increased his earnings to $925,420. Bred in Kentucky by William Taylor Nicholls and Gainesway Farm, Surf Cat is out of Trust Greta, by Centrust.