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.