Adam Coglianese
Windhorse Thoroughbreds LLC’s homebred filly Mischief Maker (Cape Town) became a stakes winner on Sunday when she drew off to an overwhelming victory in the $75,000 Swirlaway Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares going a mile over Aqueduct’s inner track.
Although the field of the Swirlaway was whittled down to only three runners after scratches, the three who lined up in the gate were all players.
Favored at 3-5 was veteran Opus A (Read the Footnotes), looking for a fifth stakes victory to kick off her 6-year-old campaign. Improving 4-year-old Mischief Maker was the 1.45-1 second choice, running back after a breakout seven-length victory in a second-level state-bred allowance at Aqueduct on December 12. Third choice at 4-1 was another 4-year-old, Shesabronxbomber (Afleet Alex), shooting for a first stakes score after being claimed for $50,000 on November 29 by the powerhouse team of Michael Dubb and Rudy Rodriguez.
While all three got away in good order, with Mischief Maker posted on the outside under Cornelio Velasquez, Opus A got the jump on the field, opening up two lengths over a stalking Mischief Maker through an opening half-mile in 48.36.
Midway around the far turn Mischief Maker got her cue from Velasquez, drew even, and at the top of the stretch poked her head in front. The filly then widened her lead comfortably for the length of the stretch on her way to a no-doubt-about-it 7 1/4-length victory in a final time of 1:38.90 over muddy going. Opus A held on for second and Shesabronxbomber completed the order of finish. [VIDEO]
Trainer Bruce Brown said he always felt Mischief Maker had talent, telling the DRF last week “She showed ability right from the get-go. Then she leveled off a little bit. Finally, she got in a groove and matured. I think she really appreciates two turns.”
Mischief Maker and her connections in the winner’s circle (NYRAnews)
A creditable third when she debuted going long against males last January, Mischief Maker ran back third in Wind Swept Wings on February 12, 2012. After recording her maiden and first-level allowance victories, as well as a show finish in New York Oaks at Finger Lakes over the course of the year, Mischief Maker really turned heads with her December 12 allowance romp for which she earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86. After 11 races since January 2012, Mischief Maker will get a break before her next start.
Foaled at Gallagher’s Stud in Ghent, Mischief Maker is the first foal out of Saint Misbehavin’. An unraced daughter of Sweetsouthernsaint, Saint Misbehavin’ changed hands once at public auction, purchased from the consignment of Margaux Farm by Gallagher’s Stud for $4,500 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.
