Rashmi and Frankie Dettori take down the Megahertz (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif. — Rashmi, exiting a fourth in the GI American Oaks on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, earned her first stakes win for trainer Jonathan Thomas when getting class relief in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile at Santa Anita.
Sent off the 9-5 favorite under Frankie Dettori, Rashmi broke in front but was soon overtaken for the lead by 14-1 longshot Omaha Girl and jockey Tyler Baze. Omaha Girl and Rashmi remained one-two around the oval until they reached the top of the stretch. Rashmi at that point burst past Omaha Girl and received no further challenges on her way to a 2 ½-length victory.
“I let (Omaha Girl) go in front and relaxed my horse behind where it was nice and comfortable,” Dettori said. “She was breathing nice. It was just a matter of when I was going to press the button. When I did, she shot forward with speed. Simple as that.”
Mahina (7-2), ridden by Hector Berrios, finished second with another half-length back to Ligura (5-1) and jockey Umberto Rispoli in third. Sareeha (3-1), with Antonio Fresu up, completed the superfecta.
Rashmi won in a time of 1:34.19 following fractions of 22.95, 46.77, 1:10,82 and 1:22.64.
A 4-year-old Oscar Performance filly, Rashmi is a homebred for George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stable. She improved to 8: 4-1-1 with the $60,000 winner’s share boosting her earnings to $150,736. In the American Oaks going 1 ¼ miles on turf, Rashmi finished six lengths back of standout winner She Feels Pretty. That effort followed a pair of victories going a mile on turf at Del Mar in the fall.
“She has really taken to California,” Thomas said. “She has gotten stronger and she had some confidence builders at Del Mar in those starter races. I thought she ran deceptively good in the Grade I American Oaks here. We are really excited to get back to the Winner’s Circle.”
Rashmi paid $5.80, $3.20 and $2.40. Mahina, ridden by Hector Berrios for trainer Patrick Gallagher, returned $4.00 and $3.00. Liguria, with Umberto Rispoli up for trainer Michael McCarthy, paid $3.40.
