KY-based Mia Mischief, Long Weekend take Oaklawn Stakes
(Coady Photography photo: Stonestreet Stables’ Mia Mischief rolled to victory in Oaklawn Park’s Carousel Stakes under Ricardo Santana Jr.)
HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, April 25, 2020) – Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Grade 1 winner Mia Mischief drew off impressively to win Saturday’s $125,000 Carousel Stakes by 4 ½ lengths and in the process gave Louisville-based Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen his seventh victory in the race.
With regular rider Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons, Mia Mischief sat right behind Amy’s Challenge through early fractions of :21 4/5 and :45 1/5 before assuming the lead around the turn for home. The winner completed the six-furlong race in 1:09 3/5 over a fast track. Lady Suebee overcame a rough trip to get third.
“Obviously, she’s a very talented mare,” Asmussen said of Mia Mischief, whose four stakes victories at Churchill Downs include the Grade 1 Humana Distaff and Grade 2 Eight Belles. “She’s a Grade 1 winner. I think she’s better now than she’s ever been and we’re very fortunate to train her for Stonestreet Stables. She’s very special. Hopefully, we can see her in the Breeders’ Cup this fall. With her ability, that’s the path she should be on.”
Bellafina, the slight 6-5 favorite over Mia Mischief, got off a step slow from her rail position and never got into a comfortable spot, finishing fourth.
“That’s kind of what we were all worried about, the 1 hole,” jockey Joe Talamo said. “She always breaks a step slow and that definitely cost us today, especially drawing the 1 hole. If she would have drawn outside, it would have been a whole different scenario. It is what it is.”
Mia Mischief, a 5-year-old Into Mischief mare, improved her record to 10-6-1 in 21 starts and has now earned $1,215,234. She returned $5, $3 and $2.40 at odds of 3-2.
One race earlier, BCWT Ltd’s Long Weekend extended his win streak to three in a row with his front running victory in the $100,000 Bachelor Stakes.
Long Weekend (on rail) edged Echo Town to win Oaklawn Park’s Bachelor Stakes under Joe Talamo. Coady Photography
Coming off a runaway victory in Oaklawn’s Gazebo Stakes March 21, Long Weekend once again shot to the lead, but this time had much more pressure as Echo Town stayed right at his throat latch through early fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 4/5 for the first half mile. The two 3-year-old colts were just a head a part at the wire, with the winner completing the six furlongs in 1:09 3/5 for six furlongs over a fast track. Lykan came from last for third. Eight Rings, the 4-5 favorite, was in contention early, but faded to fifth.
“That was a fun race,” winning trainer Tom Amoss said. “He broke super sharp and was engaged all the way from the top of the lane home. He showed a lot of determination, which is the sign of a good horse. I thought (jockey) Joe (Talamo) not only rode a smart race from the break, but was a very strong finisher on my horse and kept him going nicely. Any time you have a speed horse that hasn’t been challenged down the lane in his wins, and Long Weekend has not, you have to wonder what’s going to happen when that challenge comes that last portion of the race. I was really proud of him today.”
Long Weekend, by Majesticperfection, won for the fourth time in five starts and has now earned $193,928, including winning his debut at Churchill Downs last June. He returned $6.20, $2.80 and $2.80 as the 2-1 second choice in the field of six. Beau Oxy, Ginobili and Liam’s Pride scratched.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a 1 p.m. first post. While no fans are permitted to experience racing onsite during this time, they can to watch and wager through OaklawnAnywhere.com or any ADW of their choice.
