Pretty Mischievous Wins Test; Maple Leaf Mel Breaks Down at the Wire, Is Euthanized

The unbeaten New York-bred filly Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic–City Gift, by City Place), well on her way to a powerful, front-running win in Saturday's GI Test S. at Saratoga, tragically broke down in the shadow of the wire and had to be euthanized on the track.

The GI Kentucky Oaks winner and 9-5 favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), racing one from last for most of the seven-furlong journey, crossed the wire first, a head in front of longshot Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief). 'Rising Star' Munnys Gold (Munnings) was third.

The rail-drawn Pretty Mischievous, quickly guided off the fence by Tyler Gaffalione, raced in sixth through fractions of :22.28 and :44.58. The five-for-five GII Victory Ride S. winner kicked for home in complete control as Pretty Mischievous began to wind up while six wide leaving the quarter pole and began her rally down the center of the course.

Maple Leaf Mel led by 2 1/2 lengths at the stretch call and was well clear approaching the wire as Pretty Mischievous and Clearly Unhinged gave chase. Maple Leaf Mel took a bad step beneath Joel Rosario approaching the wire and went down.

Both Pretty Mischievous and Clearly Unhinged were steered clear of their ill-fated, fallen rival and hit the wire together, with the former narrowly in front.

Maple Leaf Mel was humanely euthanized on track with a catastrophic injury to her right front, per Dr. Luis Castro.

Rosario incurred a cut to his lower lip and will visit a Saratoga-area hospital by private vehicle for stitches, but was otherwise alert and in good order. He is off the remainder of his mounts.

Saturday, Saratoga
TEST S.-GI, $500,000, Saratoga, 8-5, 3yo, f, 7f, :00.00, ft.
1–PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS, 124, f, 3, by Into Mischief
                1st Dam: Pretty City Dancer (GISW, $286,344), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Pretty City, by Carson City
                3rd Dam: Pretty Special, by Riverman
O/B-Godolphin, LLC (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Tyler
Gaffalione. $275,000. 'TDN Rising Star' Lifetime Record:
9-7-1-1, $1,756,560. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Clearly Unhinged, 118, f, 3, by Into Mischief
                1st Dam: Smart Win, by Smart Strike
                2nd Dam: Win McCool, by Giant's Causeway
                3rd Dam: Win Crafty Lady, by Crafty Prospector
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK
TYPE. O-Rock Brothers Racing; B-Rock Brothers Breeding
LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $100,000.
3–Munnys Gold, 118, f, 3, by Munnings
                1st Dam: Haraawa, by Medaglia d'Oro
                2nd Dam: Alseera, by Distorted Humor
                3rd Dam: Unbridled Idol, by Unbridled
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($92,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $300,000
Ylg '21 FTKJUL). O-Lawana L. and Robert E. Low; B-Nicksar
Farms (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $60,000.
Margins: HD, 1 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.85, 17.60, 4.40.
Also Ran: Dorth Vader, Jersey Pearl, Tappin Josie, Maple Leaf Mel. Scratched: Interpolate.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Oscar Performance Filly Takes the ‘Gold’ in Eight Belles

While Friday's GII Eight Belles S. was bet more or less like a coronation for the freaky and previously unbeaten Munnys Gold, Red Carpet Ready–whose own perfect record was tarnished last out–had other ideas. Away as the second choice almost 14 times the favorite's odds, Red Carpet Ready shadowed the pacesetting chalk early with both kept well off the inside. Red Carpet Ready put the screws to Munnys Gold around the turn after a :45.11 half, and quickly opened up as noses pointed for home. Munnys Gold dug in deep, however, and clawed back almost all of the ground she'd given up late, but Red Carpet Ready found the line with a long nose to spare.

“This filly had a good break, and she put us right in it,” said winning rider Luis Saez. “When she got the lead, I wanted her to open it up, but she was waiting a little bit. When she was alone, she waited for the other horse to come back. I was pretty worried about the other horse, because in the long stretch, she tried hard to catch us. Red Carpet Ready is a spectacular filly. She always tries really hard.”

Red Carpet Ready opened her account a 10-length winner in the local slop on a “Stars of Tomorrow” card last October, and doubled up in the following month's Fern Creek S. She saw out seven-eighths no problem to take Gulfstream's GIII Forward Gal S. Feb. 4, but could only manage third at 11-10 in the Mar. 4 GII Davona Dale over a one-turn mile behind huge longshot Dorth Vader (Girvin).

Winning conditioner Rusty Arnold added, “She wants to sprint and she loves it here. We're going to regroup and keep to sprinting. Luis rode her great. He took it to [Munnys Gold] and she was ready.”

Friday, Churchill Downs
EIGHT BELLES S. PRESENTED BY SYSCO-GII, $500,000,
Churchill Downs, 5-5, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.28, ft.
1–RED CARPET READY, 120, f, 3, by Oscar Performance
          1st Dam: Wild Silk, by Street Sense
          2nd Dam: Spun Silk, by A.P. Indy
          3rd Dam: Spunoutacontrol, by Wild Again
($180,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG; $100,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing; B-Lynn B. Schiff (KY); T-George R. Arnold, II; J-Luis Saez. $303,800. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, $588,670. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Munnys Gold, 118, f, 3, Munnings–Haraawa, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($92,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $300,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL). O-Robert E. and Lawana L. Low; B-Nicksar Farms (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $98,000.
3–Accede, 118, f, 3, Into Mischief–Jibboom, by Mizzen Mast. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $49,000.
Margins: HD, 1 3/4, 2. Odds: 5.72, 0.41, 8.43.
Also Ran: Condensation, Olivia Twist, Sabra Tuff, Grand Love.
Scratched: Effortlesslyelgant, Positano Sunset.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

Red Carpet Ready is one of two graded winners and stakes winners from the first crop of talented turfer Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy). Street Sense is the broodmare sire of a dozen graded/group winners worldwide. His one highest-level winner to date is Roaring Lion, by Oscar Performance's sire Kitten's Joy.

Red Carpet Ready is out of a half-sister to GISW sprinter Joking (Distorted Humor) and from the deep female family of Tale of the Cat, Fed Biz, et al.

Unraced Wild Silk, purchased for $70,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale, has a 2-year-old full-sister to Red Carpet Ready and yearling full-brother. The filly was a $65,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale acquisition by Deuce Greathouse's Pura Vida and has since been named Bougie Not Basic. Wild Silk produced a Not This Time filly Mar. 23.

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Munnings Filly a Monster Once Again at Tampa

'TDN Rising Star' Munnys Gold turned her stakes debut into a laugher while stamping herself as a potential major force among sophomore fillies this season. A jaw-dropping 14 1/2-length debut winner at Monmouth last June, good for a gaudy 101 Beyer Speed Figure, the dark bay was subsequently sidelined with a foot bruise, but eventually resurfaced to make short work of first-level Florida-bred allowance foes at Gulfstream Jan. 25. She was facing her sternest test to date with the likes of Dreaming of Snow, upsetter of champion Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) in the Suncoast S., present, but was again in a race of her own Sunday.

Willing to briefly allow a longshot to take command down the backside through a swift :21.79 quarter, Munnys Gold started to open up after a :44.30 half. Still on cruise control into the lane as her rivals were pumped on to keep up, the chalk was given a couple taps to shift gears in upper stretch and she zoomed away to quickly double her already insurmountable advantage and demolish a track record of 1:20.89 set by future GISW Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}).

The winner has a yearling half-sister by Frosted and her dam was bred back to Game Winner for this term. She is bred on a version of the super potent Speightstown over Medaglia d'Oro cross responsible for GISWs Olympiad, Rock Fall and Competitionofideas.

STONEHEDGE FARM SOUTH SOPHOMORE FILLIES S., $100,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 3-26, (S), 3yo, f, 7f, 1:20.09 (NTR), ft.
1–MUNNYS GOLD, 122, f, 3, by Munnings
               1st Dam: Haraawa, by Medaglia d'Oro
               2nd Dam: Alseera, by Distorted Humor
               3rd Dam: Unbridled Idol, by Unbridled
'TDN Rising Star' ($92,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $300,000 Ylg '21
FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Lawana L. & Robert E. Low;
B-Nicksar Farms (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.
$60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $126,900.
2–Dreaming of Snow, 124, f, 3, Jess's Dream–Snow Fashion, by
Old Fashioned. ($35,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT; $60,000 2yo '22
OBSMAR). O-Team Equistaff, LLC. & Winning Stables, Inc.;
B-Karyn Philipp (FL); T-Gerald S. Bennett. $20,000.
3–Awesome Pic, 118, f, 3, Awesome Slew–Shirley's Pic, by
Overdriven. O-Smith, Robert G., George, Richard Kingston and
Wayne and Chico Owens, LLC; B-Richard George (FL); T-Robert Smith. $10,000.
Margins: 17 1/4, NK, 1. Odds: 0.40, 5.00, 20.30.
Also Ran: Dream Concert, Sherlyn Go Go, Pretty'n Awesome, Lynx, Jackie's Spirit.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 – Feb. 2

With the runnings of the GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita and the Martha Washington S. at Oaklawn, there's now a bit more clarity to the division, particularly in California where Las Virgenes winner Faiza (Girvin) look like she is the best of that group. The Martha Washington was won by the Brad Cox-trained Wet Paint (Blame), but she didn't beat a stellar group and will have to wait for another day to make this list. This will be a quiet weekend for the 3-year-old fillies. Gulfstream does offer the GIII Forward Gal S., but it is a seven-furlong race and most of the entrants look to be sprinters.

 

1) WONDER WHEEL (f, Into Mischief–Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful) O-D. J. Stable LLC. B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC & Clearsky Farm (Ky). T-Mark Casse. Sales history: $275,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 5-4-1-0, $1,550,725. Last Start: Won GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland Nov. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: Suncoast S., Tam, Feb. 11

The Eclipse Award-winning filly continues to progress while training at Mark Casse's training center. She worked five furlongs in 59 last week and is gearing up for what will be her 3-year-old debut in the Feb. 11 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. “After an easy breeze last week, Wonder Wheel is on course to run in the Suncoast Stakes.,” said DJ Stable General Manager Jon Green. “She may be a tad light from a fitness standpoint, but we prefer two-turn options over the other possible preps. Tyler Gaffalione will have the mount in the Suncoast.” The Suncoast will not be an easy spot as the race is also expected to include GII Demoiselle S. winner Julia Shining (Curlin), so it will be a good test for the champion. Wonder Wheel's Eclipse Award was the second in the juvenile fillies category for DJ Stable, which also won the award in 2018 with Jaywalk (Cross Traffic).

 

2) HOOSIER PHILLY (f, Into Mischief–Tapella, by Tapit) O-Gold Standard Racing Stable, LLC. B-Candy Meadows, LLC (Ky). T-Thomas Amoss. Sales history: $510,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $432,610. Last Start: Won GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 26. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10
Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 18

Hoosier Philly had her first published workout of the year last Saturday, breezing four furlongs in 47.40 at the Fair Grounds. “When she worked this past weekend I saw the same horse that I have been seeing since she first came to the track, which is good,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “I am really pleased that she is enthusiastic about her training. I like her development physically, as well.” The Into Mischief filly remains on target for the Feb. 18 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds. Should she win that day Amoss will need to make a decision about her future plans, which, he has said all along, could include a start in the GI Kentucky Derby. “We're running in the Rachel Alexandra and will see how she does,” Amoss said in regards to the Derby question. “I can't comment beyond that. I haven't thought that much about it.” A very exciting prospect who could ultimately land in the top spot in this poll, her 3-year-old debut will be a must-see event.

 

3) FAIZA (f, Girvin–Sweet Pistol, by Smart Strike) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael L Petersen. B-Brereton C. Jones (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $90,000 yrl '21 KEESEP; $725,000 2yo '22 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: GISW, 2-2-0-0, $222,000. Last Start: Won the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos on Dec. 10. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: To Be Determined.

With her win in the Las Virgenes, Faiza became the clear leader of the 3-year-old filly division in California. A member of the loaded Bob Baffert stable, she's done nothing wrong. A $725,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic 2-Year-Olds Sale, she's now 3-for-3 and her record includes a victory in the GI Starlet S. But while she's getting the job done, she's not blowing anyone away. She won the Starlet by a head and the Las Virgenes by a half-length, each time beating Pride of the Nile. Also, she hasn't been running particularly fast as her 77 Beyer in the Las Virgenes equaled her career best. Then again, she's undefeated, a Grade I winner, cost $725,000 at the sales and is trained by Bob Baffert, all of which makes her a formidable member of this division. Was ridden by Ramon Vazquez in the Las Virgenes, after Flavien Prat was the pilot in her two prior starts.

 
4) ICE DANCING (f, Frosted–Welcome Dance, by Henny Hughes) O-Perry R Bass, II & Ramona Bass. B-Bass Stables, LLC (Ky). T-Richard Mandella. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 5-2-0-2, $219,600. Last Start: Won GIII Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita Jan. 8. Kentucky Oaks Points: 12. Next Start: To Be Determined

Ice Dancing | Benoit Photo

After winning the GIII Santa Ynez S. on Jan. 8, she sat out the Las Virgenes because trainer Richard Mandella wanted to space her races apart. Still, she's been busy in the mornings, having had two four furlong works since her last race. She's been a completely new horse after finishing fourth, beaten six lengths, in the GII Chandelier S. in October. Mandella regrouped and put her in a maiden race, which she won by a length. Next up was a convincing 3 1/4 length win in the Santa Ynez. If she doesn't progress from here, her connections can always try her on the turf. She is out of Welcome Dance (Henny Hughes), a two-time stakes winner on the grass who started just once on the dirt.

 

5) MUNNYS GOLD (f, Munnings–Haraawa, by Medaglia D'Oro) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Robert E. and Lawana L. Low; B-Nicksar Farms; T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $300,000 ylr '21 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. Last Start: Won an Allowance race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 4 or Any Limit S., GP, Mar. 18

After turning in an eye-catching performance in June at Monmouth, where she won by 14 ½ lengths and earned a 101 Beyer figure, Munnys Gold disappeared, only to return last week at Gulfstream in a six-furlong allowance race for Florida-breds. Sent off at 1-20, she won by 6 1/4 lengths and this time got an 88 Beyer. We know she's fast, but is she a two-turn horse, an Oaks candidate? Trainer Todd Pletcher is waiting to find out. “She's a bit headstrong so she'll have to convince me that she wants to stretch out,” Pletcher said. The GII Davona Dale S. at a mile on March 4 is a possibility, but so is the six-furlong Any Limit S. On March 18. If Pletcher chooses the shorter race that would be a pretty good sign that he doesn't think this one is Oaks material.

 
6) LEAVE NO TRACE (f, Outwork–Tanquerray, by Good Journey) O-WellSpring Stables. B-Red Cloak Farm, LLC (Ky). T-Philip Serpe. Sales history: $8,000 yrl '21 FTFFEB; $40,000 yrl '21 FTMOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-1-1, $598,650. Last Start: 2nd in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland Nov. 4.Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 4.

Gearing up for the Davona Dale S., Leave No Trace has had three published workouts this year for trainer Phil Serpe. The GII Gulfstream Parks Oaks will be next and then, if she continues to progress, a run in the Kentucky Oaks. She's come quite a long way after being purchased out of the Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic 2-Year-Olds Sale for just $40,000. Before that, she sold for $8,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February Mixed Sale. After winning the GI Spinaway S., she finished second in the GI Frizette S. and then second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Leave No Trace was the first graded stakes winner for sire Outwork. She was the first Grade I winner for trainer Phil Serpe since Birdonthewire (Proud Birdie) won the 1994 Vosburgh S.

 

7) JULIA SHINING (f, Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy)   'TDN Rising Star' O-Stonestreet Stables LLC. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Ky). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $194,075. Last Start: Won the GII Demoiselle S. at Aqueduct Dec. 3. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10
Next Start: Suncoast S., Tam, Feb. 11

Curlin has been on quite a run, one that includes being the sire of three of 2022's Eclipse Awards winners. In Julia Shining, he has another horse with a world of potential. A full-sister to Eclipse Award winner Malathaat (Curlin), she's 2-for-2 and coming off a win in the GII Demoiselle S. It's hard to know what to make of that race. She won by just a neck and, as the 55-100 favorite, didn't exactly square off against stellar competition. But with her pedigree and her late-running style, she has looked like a horse who will only get better at three. How good is she? We'll find out soon as she is scheduled to take on champion Wonder Wheel in the Feb. 11 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs.

 
8) THE ALYS LOOK (f, Connect–Foul Play, by Harlan's Holiday) O-Ike and Dawn Thrash. B-G. Watts Humphrey (Ky). T-Brad H. Cox. Sales history: $60,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-2-1-1, $150,528. Last Start: Won the Silverbulletday S. at Fair Grounds Jan. 21. Kentucky Oaks Points: 24. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 25

The Alys Look | Hodges Photography / Jamie Newell

Brad Cox has several Oaks candidates, though none that, at least so far, are regarded as among the best in the division. The Alys Look fits that bill. Just a $60,000 yearling buy, she outran stablemate and beaten Juvenile Fillies favorite Chop Chop (City of Light) to win her 3-year-old debut in the Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds. She will no doubt need to improve in order to be able to knock off the best of her division, but one of Cox's strengths is his ability to get horses to peak at the most opportune time.

 

9) JUSTIQUE (f, Justify–Grazie Mille, by Bernardini) 'TDN Rising Star' O-C R K Stable, LLC. B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (Ky). T-John A Shirreffs. Sales history: $725,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 3-2-0-1, $132,000. Last Start: 3rd in the GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 28. Kentucky Oaks Points: 9. Next Start: To Be Determined.

The John Shirreffs-trained filly has run four times and has looked sensational twice and rather ordinary twice. The latest disappointment came in the Las Virgenes where she was a third-place finisher and lost by three lengths. The other sub-par effort came in the Chandelier, where she was a non-threatening third. The connection is that both those races were around two turns where her better starts came around one turn. So is she just a one-turn horse? Maybe. Yet that doesn't make a lot of sense. By Justify out of a Bernardini mare, she's bred to go long and her late-kick closing style also suggest a horse who should like a distance. She missed a scheduled start in the Santa Ynez when sick, so maybe she needed the start in the Las Virgenes. But she still has to prove that she can get a distance. The jury remains out.

10) OCCULT (f, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker) O-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC. B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (Ky). T-Chad C. Brown. Sales history: $625,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $107,450. Last Start: Won the Busanda S. at Aqueduct Jan. 14. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: To Be Determined

Looks like the best of the bunch when it comes to 3-year-old fillies training in New York. After breaking her maiden in her second career start, she was a handy winner of the Jan. 14 Busanda S. at Aqueduct for trainer Chad Brown. Brown is shopping for a spot for her next start. Don't get caught up on the fact that she's a New York winter horse. She's obviously got some quality and Brown has used the New York route in the past with a number of good horses.

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