Princess Moche gets the nose down in the Megahertz, Benoit Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —Moche Princesswagered on the 5-2 favorite in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes, proved horse players right when she gamely prevailed on a three-way snap to win her first stake in the one-mile grass event for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita.
Under Mirco Demuro for trainer Doug O’Neill, Princesa Moche was imported from her native Peru last year by owner Rancho San Roberto Inc. She appears to be a tough mare in the new environment.
Princesa Moche, a 5-year-old daughter of the English-bred stallion Muwaary, left her American stakes debut in the GIII Las Cienegas, sprinting about 6 furlongs on the hilly grass field. She led that day and set the pace before being reluctantly overtaken late by top mare Queen Maxima and losing by half a length.
The Megahertz marked the second time Princesa Moche raced around two corners in the US. She stalked the pacer Happy going (12-1) in second to intermediate fractions of 23.73, 48.63 and 1:13.16 for six furlongs. As she entered the stretch, Princesa Moche seemed to be weakening. That would not be the case.
“I was a little scared because she relaxed a little too much on the last turn,” Demuro said. “It looked like she was going to get beat. But then she changed leads and fought like always.”
In the final furlong Princesa Moche found her top gear and finished best of all to win by a neck Vibesthe 9-2 third choice ridden by Juan Hernandez. It was a neck back again Will then (4-1) in third place.
“I’ve never owned a horse from Peru,” O’Neill said. “She’s average size, but I’ve told people she looks like Tanner from ‘Bad News Bears.’ Just tough as fuck.”
Demuro added: “She’s so strong. She’s a lovely filly. She runs six furlongs and a mile and she gives her best every time.”
Princesa Moche’s winning time was 1:36.09. The favorite of the morning line, Public Meetingwent from the light second choice at 5-2 and finished fourth.
Prior to her U.S. stakes debut at Las Cienegas, Princesa Moche won a second-level allowance for a mile on grass in November at Del Mar. Her overall record improved to 39:12-4-5 with over $170,000 in earnings.
Princesa Moche paid $7.00, $4.20 and $2.80. Vibez returned $4.60 and $3.80. Will Then, ridden by Mike Smith for Jonathan Thomas, paid $3.60.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Santa Anita with an eight-race schedule beginning at 12:30 PM PT. For more information, including full race entry, visit santaanita.com.
GRADE III, MEGAHERTZ STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY QUOTES
MIRCO DEMURO, PRINCESS MOCHE, WINNER: “She’s so strong. She’s a filly with a sweet heart. She runs six furlongs and a mile and every time she gives her best. I was a little scared because she relaxed a little too much on the last turn. It looked like she was going to be beaten, but then she changed the lead and fought like always. It was hard for me to stop her after the wire. She still had something left.”
TRAINER QUOTES
DOUG O’NEILL, PRINCESA MOCHE, WINNER: “I’ve never owned a horse from Peru. She’s average size. She looks like Tanner from ‘Bad News Bears.’ Just tough as nuts. She knows where the wire is. Even Mirco said, “I dropped the bit a little bit, but once she felt that competitive feeling, she jumped back in and got it done.” It makes a stable look good when you get such a mare. She just does her best.”
NOTES: The winning owner is Rancho San Roberto Inc.
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