LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a well-matched field of eight fillies and mares in which just more than three lengths covered the group coming to the stretch, Musical Mischief ($35.64), the second-longest shot on the board, burst through between horses and powered clear to a 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $400,000 Locust Grove Stakes for fillies and mares on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
This was the first stakes victory for Musical Mischief, who is trained by Michael McCarthy for Stoneway Farm - although she had hinted at high-end ability. The filly was third in the Grade 1 American Oaks last December on the Santa Anita turf, and earlier this year was second in the Allaire duPont Distaff at Pimlico behind Shotgun Hottie, who wound up the beaten favorite in the Locust Grove.
In her outing prior to the Locust Grove, Musical Mischief was bumped at the start en route to finishing fourth in the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park behind Pigallie, who she also faced again Saturday.
"We knew the flat mile was a little short for her, and I don't think she liked that [as much]," said jockey Edgar Morales, who was aboard Musical Mischief in the Groupie Doll and has ridden the filly to all four of her career wins. "But today she was traveling great, and when I asked, she gave everything.
"She's a filly that you need to be quiet on her, and let her do her thing, but she's special," he added of his relationship with the filly.
Musical Mischief, who broke from the rail in the field of eight, was sitting on go early. Morales coaxed her to sit back behind Free Like a Girl as the popular Louisiana-bred millionaire, who had broken from post 2, stayed slightly off the rail through opening fractions of 24.16 seconds for the quarter and 48.29 seconds for the half on the fast main track, leaving daylight in front of a keen foe.
"She was loaded the whole way," Morales said. "She was seeing the clear, and she wanted to go through the whole way, but I [didn't want to] let her go too soon."
Around the far turn, Free Like a Girl was still leading, but coming under a ride as Pigallie drew to even terms with her, and second choice Hoosier Philly bid on the outside of those two. Meanwhile, Shotgun Hottie was rallying widest of all and making up ground.
To the inside, Musical Mischief was still saving ground, waiting to make her bid as the field stacked up. Morales had to tap on the brakes as Free Like a Girl began to retreat, but was able to angle off that one's heels to come between Free Like a Girl and Pigallie into the closing stages. When that hole appeared before her, Musical Mischief was full of run, and powered home.
Corningstone, who had been last of eight approaching the stretch, rallied to edge Shotgun Hottie by a half-length for second. They were followed, in order, by Pigallie, Taxed, Loved, Hoosier Philly, and Free Like a Girl.
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.91.
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