Gidgetta (7-2) closed from a stalking position to catch the heavily favored pacesetter Merneith in Monday's first race, a maiden special weight race for 3-year-old fillies at 6 1-2 furlongs.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Gidgetta finished a length in front of Merneith, who was sent off at 1-9 and set fractions of 21.70 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.17 for a half-mile. Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Merneith was under urging in early stretch.

Gidgetta, a filly by Fast Anna is owned by Jim Rome's Jungle Racing and is trained by Richard Baltas. Gidgetta was third in her first start in a maiden race at Del Mar on Nov. 30.