NYRA/Chelsea Durand
By Sarah Mace
Wise Racing’s More Mischief, a $350,000 purchase at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale, stalked her way to a first career stakes victory in Sunday’s running of the $100,000 Biogio’s Rose Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at Aqueduct.
Trained by Chad Brown, the 4-year-old dark bay daughter of Into Mischief was relatively lightly-raced, with the Biogio’s Rose being only her ninth career start. It was also first time she had put together back-to-back races since a pair of starts at Saratoga last summer. Four weeks ago, though, she signaled that “all systems were go” for her these days.
On January 12, after three months on the sidelines, More Mischief demolished a second-level state-bred allowance field by 7 3/4-lengths at the same one-turn mile trip as the Biogio’s Rose, while earning a career-high 80 Beyer Speed Figure. Well regarded by bettors on Sunday, and enjoying a 2-6 pound advantage over most rivals at 118 pounds, she was sent off as the 3-1 second choice.
On the bit after an alert exit from post five, More Mischief settled four-wide in the second flight under a stout hold by Manny Franco. Up front 3-5 favorite Newly Minted at the rail and 39-1 No Hayne No Gayne hooked up in a duel through an opening half-mile in 46.98.
Holding position until the approach to the far turn, More Mischief advanced into third to get first run at the leaders.
Three-wide in upper stretch, More Mischief gained a spot as No Hayne No Gayne began to weaken, and set her sights on Newly Minted. Passing her rival midstretch and fully in control with one-sixteenth to go, More Mischief edged away to a 2 1/2-length victory, stopping the timer at 1:38.20.
Newly Minted, under pressure from the bell, held well for second and No Hayne No Gayne was still able to check in third 3 1/4 lengths further back. Expresso Shot (39-1) closed from last to complete the superfecta, followed across the line by Our Super Nova, Mrs. Orb and Held Accountable. [VIDEO REPLAY]
Held Accountable’s uncoupled entrymate Out of Orbit was scratched and will contest the 6-furlong Broadway on February 15.
NYRA/Elsa Lorieul
Winning jockey Manny Franco, who was also in the irons for More Mischief’s allowance win on January 12, said, “My instructions were to keep her in the clear. I made sure I broke good and let the horses on the outside clear me. She was nice and comfortable, just like last time.”
Continued Franco, “The speed helped us a little bit. The favorite [Newly Minted] was on the lead and was a little bit pressured, so I was able to stalk them. When I made my move, I had a lot under me, and my filly responded really well.”
Dan Stupp, assistant to winning trainer Chad Brown, commented, “She seems to like Aqueduct and relished the stretch out to a mile. Manny [Franco] did a great job with getting her to relax and get comfortable. She did the rest from there. He got to know her last time and just replicated what he did in her last race, and it worked out great today.”
Bred by Anlyn Farms, More Mischief is out of Gracilia, a placed daughter of Mr. Greeley and a half-sister to New York-bred graded stakes winner and sire Sharp Humor. Gracilia is a 100 percent producer, with five winners from five foals to start. More Mischief is her first offspring to earn black type.
More Mischief sold first time around to Louis Lazzinarro for $185,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale. Alan Wise signed the $350,000 ticket at the March Sale.
After four wins, a pair of seconds and third in nine starts, More Mischief has earned $240,493.
