My Mertie Posts Longshot Win in Chicago Handicap
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Photo: Coady Photography
My Mertie wins the Chicago Handicap at Arlington International Racecourse
My Mertie out-finished odds-on favorite Hotshot Anna to win the Chicago Handicap (G3) June 29 on the Arlington International Racecourse all-weather course, as local runners prevailed against invaders from Kentucky and Indiana.
Heavenly Hill finished third in the seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares. Excessivespending, the best-fancied of the out-of-state rivals, stumbled at the start and tired late to finish fifth.
My Mertie, a 7-year-old Illinois-bred daughter of Magna Graduate , broke last of eight under Carlos Marquez Jr., bumping with Hotshot Anna. After settling, My Mertie began to pick up rivals around the turn while Hotshot Anna was working her way to the lead.
Racing three wide, My Mertie overhauled Hotshot Anna nearing the sixteenth pole and edged away to a 1 1/4-length victory.
My Mertie, trained by Michele Boyce, finished in 1:22.44 on a warm and humid day in the Chicago area. She posted three wins from five starts while running in the allowance ranks during the 2018 Arlington season but was fifth in her only previous start this term.
Hotshot Anna, a 5-year-old Trappe Shot mare, earned favorite's status on the basis of four consecutive wins at the end of her 2018 season. Those included the Chicago Handicap, the Satin and Lace Stakes at Presque Isle Downs, and the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2). She had not run since the Masters win Sept. 17.
Boyce said even she was a bit surprised at the outcome.
"Terry Biondo, one of her owners, said her numbers fit with who's in there and that we should go ahead and nominate her," Boyce said. "I didn't exactly think it was the best spot for her, but there wasn't anywhere else to run her. When I worked her last week, Carlos Marquez was extremely confident in her, so we went through with it, and he sure was right."
Marquez said in her previous start, My Mertie was short after the layoff "and that was probably my fault. I worked her last week and she worked dynamite, so I was confident in her today. She's such a consistent horse. I'm glad it worked out today."
Boyce said she is not sure what's next for the mare, who has an obvious preference for all-weather surfaces. She has hit the board in 11 of 12 runs over synthetics, including four wins.
"I would love to keep her here," Boyce said. "There haven't been many opportunities, though. We were able to get that six-furlong prep into her but nothing else. She loves it here at Arlington. She's a very game and consistent mare."
Bred by Barr Three out of the Doc's Leader mare Kate the Great, My Mertie improved her record to 8-7-7 from 31 starts, with earnings of $295,729. She is campaigned by Oak Rock Racing, Biondo, and Cherrywood Racing Stables.