Diane Manning’s Miss Mischief, kept out of trouble throughout by Eurico Rosa da Silva, pounced to her first graded score in Sunday’s Grade 2 $200,800 Bessarabian Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Dale Capuano, the Into Mischief bay stalked the early pace of Paddle Board and Endless Light in the seven furlong ‘Poly’ stake for fillies and mares, before launching her winning move late in the turn en route to a 2 1/4-length score. Paddle Board stayed on strong for second over previously undefeated sophomore Elusive Collection.
A nine-time winner, with a resume that includes wins in the 2013 Pearl City Stakes, at Aqueduct, and back-to-back victories in the H.B.P.A Stakes (2014-15) at Presque Isle Downs, Miss Mischief improved her status to graded stakes winner with the stylish score. Earlier this year, she finished second in the Grade 3 Hendrie, at Woodbine, and third in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters.
Miss Mischief stalked from third position in the Bessarabian as Endless Light and Paddle Board dueled through splits of :23.20 and :45.64. Miss Mischief chased the leaders three-wide into the turn and took command in the final furlong, stopping the clock in 1:21.72.
Da Silva, leading rider at the meet with 180 victories, notched five wins on the card. He was aboard Miss Mischief for the first time in the Bessarabian.
“He (Capuano) said to just try and give her a clear trip outside. She was keen and following the race pretty good, just waiting for me to turn her loose,” said da Silva.
Capuano was pleased to see the five-year-old mare, bred in Kentucky by Allen Poindexter, pick up her first graded stakes win.
“It’s very gratifying,” said Capuano. “We thought the distance would fit her quite well. She’s run well for us from six and a half (furlongs) to a mile and a sixteenth. She’s pretty versatile.”
She paid $12.90, $6.50 and $4.10, combining with Paddle Board ($14.50, $6.40) for a $170.80 (5-7) exactor. A 5-7-3 triactor (Elusive Collection, $3.20 to show) was worth $1228.80, while a $1 Superfecta [5-7-3-2 (Cactus Kris)] came back $4802.55.
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