Mucho Unusual Wins Scratch-Shortened Megahertz

ARCADIA, CA – George Krikorian homebred Mucho Unusual flashed her expansive class advantage over her three rivals to win Monday’s scratch-shortened $100,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.

The 2/5 favorite under Joel Rosario, Mucho Unusual tracked just outside and behind Chilean G1 winner Brooke, making her first North American appearance.

Brooke settled on the front end while posting opening fractions of :23.78, :48.00, and 1:12.55 but seemed to blow the far turn, shifting out a few paths before straightening for home.

Brooke overcorrected and came in as Colonial Creed tried coming up the rail, forcing that rival to check out suddenly as Mucho Unusual ranged up to take the lead in the stretch.

Sedamar‘s sustained stretch rally from last failed to catch the Tim Yakteen-trained Mucho Unusual, who crossed 3/4 of a length the best while completing the firm turf mile route in 1:35.89.

“I went to the first turn and it looked like (Brooke) really wanted to go to the lead, so I just waited behind that one a little bit,” Rosario said. “This horse is really good, she was able to come out really far and just hang on. It was amazing. Thank you to the team and to George for the opportunity.”

Sedamar was a 1/2-length clear of Brooke for second.

Colonial Creed never re-engaged before completing the order of finish, but a stewards inquiry led to Brooke being disqualified and placed fourth behind Colonial Creed before the race was official.

Lucky Peridot (fourth in Sunday’s Astra Stakes [G3]) and Ippodamia’s Girl were scratched.

Mucho Unusual’s win was her second straight following the local 1 1/8-mile Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3) and third in four starts including the 1 1/4-mile Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1). The California-bred 5-year-old Mucho Macho Man mare improved her overall record to 19-7-3-4 with $822,715 earned.

“She’s super honest, we’re excited to have her in the stable,” Yatkeen said. “It was sort of the way the schedule came up. We were thinking about keeping her at a mile and 1/8, mile and 1/4. Unfortunately, there really wasn’t anything coming up until the end of March, so we thought we would take advantage of a lighter field. It didn’t look like it was heavily subscribed, she was training absolutely fantastic, so we thought we’d take advantage of it.”

Mucho Unusual returned $2.80 to win and $2.10 to place, while Sedamar paid $2.60 to place. There was no show betting.