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Jan 16, 2018

DRYSDALE’S MADAME STRIPES TAKES GRADE III, $100,000 MEGAHERTZ STAKES BY 1 ¼ LENGTHS; RIDDEN BY DESORMEAUX, SHE GETS MILE ON TURF IN 1:34.24

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2018)—Although she hopped leaving the gate, Argentine-bred Madame Stripes settled nicely under Kent Desormeaux and easily overhauled favored Insta Erma late to take Monday’s Grade III Megahertz Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths today at Santa Anita. Trained by Neil Drysdale, the 6-year-old mare got a mile on turf in 1:34.24.

Well back into the first turn, Madame Stripes, who had been idle since running third in the Grade II Bayakoa Stakes on dirt Dec. 3, had two horses beat midway around the Club House turn, but was a fast moving fourth approaching the quarter pole and rallied three-wide through the lane to win going away.

The second choice in a field of seven older fillies and mares at 7-2, Madame Stripes paid $9.00, $4.00 and $2.60.

Owned by Gainesway Stable, Madame Stripes notched her first-ever graded stakes win in her 17^th career start. The Megahertz represents her fourth overall win and with the winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $313,218.

Trained by Richard Baltas, Insta Erma moved a bit early inside an erratic Chocolate Coated heading into the far turn and although she out-gamed Thundering Sky for the place, she was no match for the winner late.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Insta Erma was off at even money and paid $3.00 and $2.20.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Thundering Sky set a pressured early pace and held off Laseen by a head for third money. Off at 4-1, Thundering Sky paid $3.20 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.11, 46.98, 1:10.78 and 1:22.44.

Live racing resumes at Santa Anita on Friday, with first post time at 1 p.m.

Santa Anita will be open for simulcast wagering on Wednesday and Thursday.

For our IdaBet players, here are the Tuesday Picks for Monticello. Happy Wagering!

1ST RACE: 3-4-1-2

2ND RACE: 4-1-3-5

3RD RACE: 4-5-3-6

4TH RACE: 2-1-3-5

5TH RACE: 3-6-2-4

6TH RACE: 4-5-3-1

7TH RACE: 5-6-8-1

8TH RACE: 1-6-3-2

9TH RACE: 5-4-7-1

10TH RACE: 1-4-2-5

With five different tickets “live” and thus eligible to produce a life-changing score, including one that singled 5-2 post time favorite Red Shelby, it was Gone to Town, an 8-1 shot trained by Hector Palma and ridden by Alonso Quinonez, that sailed home in Monday’s nightcap at Santa Anita to win by four lengths which resulted in one lucky winning ticket worth $466,919.40.

Purchased for $2,880 at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, Calif., the winner’s purchase contributed to a total Pick Six pool on Monday of $524,462.

With a special nine-race card on Martin Luther King Day, Monday’s Pick Six got off to a rocky start with Trickonomics winning the fourth race by a half length under Kyle Frey. Off at 38-1, he paid $79.00 to win.

Form prevailed in race five, as Afleet Ascent, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, connected by 1 ½ lengths as the 9-5 favorite and paid $5.80 to win.

Monday’s sixth race was no stunner either, as 2-1 second choice Jimmythisnjimthat, with Tyler Baze up, won by three quarters of a length and paid $6.80 to win.

The Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes served as the seventh race and it was taken by the second choice in the wagering, Madame Stripes, who was off at 7-2 with Kent Desormeaux and paid $9.00 to win.

Monday’s eighth race went to the third choice in the straight wagering, Hot Sean, who at odds of 7-2, won by three quarters of a length with Joe Talamo up and paid $9.20 to win.

Live racing resumes with an eight-race card on Friday at Santa Anita. First post time is at 1 p.m.

Thank you for choosing IdaBet.com! Happy Wagering!

A PEEK AT THE PROGRAM–TUESDAY, JANUARY 16

Some insights into tonight’s racing program for our IdaBet players:

1^ST RACE – (7) BEGINNER’S LUCK was perfect-trip, ‘peeked’ winner in latest. Any number of competent ones here, but we stay ‘cause he’s square price.

3^RD RACE – (4) BASS PLAYER could not sustain first-up try in seasonal bow, hanging around for final envelope. Same venue, but very camera-shy crowd.

4^TH RACE – (5) CAPPOZZO ditches ‘pair of sevens’ for bit better getaway locale. Could not sustain move from back of bus in latest, but effort did encourage.

5^TH RACE – (1) SUDDEN CHANGE N pressed the issued from pole in last try, yielding to favorite who came to complete stop. Some less happenstance here?

6^TH RACE – (4) ANALYZE was last here from second tier, prior an eight-hole against better. Always been able to work at this level, so gets mid-pack nod.

11^TH RACE – (1) ARI ALLSTAR has done minimal of late, though last trio from outer half. We surmise he puts forth decent effort after winning finale draw.

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$2 +/- (thru Sun., Jan. 14) – 12 wins ($123.70)

from 36 ($72) selex (+$51.70, just don’t look for logic)

highest-priced winner – MORE THAN MANY ($21.80)

lowest-priced winner – OZONE BLUE CHIP ($4.60)

BY FRANK DRUCKER,

Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

Thank you for your continued support of Yonkers Raceway and IdaBet.com!