Everso Mischievous, the even-money favorite, tracked pacesetter Bouncer in the early stages of the sprint before he grabbed the lead at the head of the stretch and rolled home to a 3 ¼-length score over Bourbon Bash in Saturday night's third running of the $300,000 Harrods Creek for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
Everso Mischievous, a son of Into Mischief, clocked seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22.15 under Cristian Torres, who rode the winner for trainer Brad Cox and owner Qatar Racing LLC.
The winner's share of $183,450 increased Everso Mischievous' earnings to $359,640 with a record of 3-2-0 in five starts.
“Cristian gave him a great ride tonight,” said Cox's assistant Trace Messina. “He has some natural early speed but does well with a target. He got a perfect trip tonight.”
Bouncer broke fastest from post No. 4 in the field of six sophomores but Everso Mischievous quickly ranged up to Bouncer's right hip as they rattled off early fractions of :22.79 and :45.31. For a moment, it looked as if Bourbon Bash would mount a challenge after tracking the duo from the rail but Everso Mischievous was much the best once he took over off the turn and drew off down the lane for the comfortable win.
“This was the first time I was aboard him but I watched all his races,” Torres said. “Last time they put blinkers on him and it helped him be more forward. Every time he ran he had a target. If he gets in front too early he gets a little lazy. I had a lot of horse beneath me down the lane but I had to stay after him. He responded the entire time.”
Everso Mischievous, who collected his first stakes victory in his stakes debut, returned $4.38, $2.98 and $2.10. Bourbon Bash, under Jaime Torres, paid $9.34 and $4.84 at odds of 11-1. It was another 2 ¾ lengths back to Loyal Company in third, who returned $2.80 to show under Declan Cannon at 5-Determinedly, Bouncer and Mount Up completed the running order. Praetorian Guard was scratched.
Everso Mischievous is out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Ever So Clever and was bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms.
The race honors the neighborhood of Louisville centered near Harrods Creek at the intersection of River Road and Wolf Pen Branch Road. It is roughly bordered by the Ohio River to the west and US 42 to the east. Formerly an unincorporated community, it was designated a neighborhood of Louisville when the city merged with Jefferson County in 2003.
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