Bellafina the insider, Mia Mischief outsider in Carousel Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Grade 1-winning millionaires Bellafina and Mia Mischief will break from opposite ends of the starting gate Saturday in the $125,000 Carousel at Oaklawn Park.

Amy’s Challenge, who twice has placed in Grade 1 stakes, is sandwiched in between in an outstanding renewal of the six-furlong race for fillies and mares.

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Bellafina starts her season from the rail, while Mia Mischief breaks from the widest gate in the field of eight. Amy’s Challenge will start from post 6.

Midnight Fantasy, who picked up her fourth stakes win in the Spring Fever in February at Oaklawn, adds further depth to the field, as does Lady Suebee, a stakes winner cutting back to one turn for the first time since July, and Sunny Dale, who has won all three of her starts this meet at Oaklawn.

The Carousel shares an 11-race card with the $100,000 Bachelor, led by Grade 1 winner Eight Rings. The races will be run before an empty grandstand due to the coronavirus pandemic that has suspended racing at most locales, including Santa Anita.

Carousel Stakes (Race 10)

KEY CONTENDERS

Bellafina, by Quality Road
Last 3 Beyers: 98-105-84

◗ She’s a six-time graded winner, with three of those victories coming in Grade 1 races. The Carousel marks her first start since a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 La Brea on Dec. 28 at her base of Santa Anita.

“She seems to be training every bit as good as she ever has and we’re excited to see her 4-year-old season get started,” said trainer Simon Callaghan.

“We gave her a little time off. Our first preference was to run in California for her first race back. Under the current circumstances, and the fact that she’s ready to run, this seems like a logical spot to start the year.”

◗ It’s the start to a season that could see her return to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Last year she was second in the race, beaten three-quarters of a length by eventual champion Covfefe.

“That’s our ultimate goal,” Callaghan said of the Breeders’ Cup. “I think we’ll kind of pick four or five races between now and then. That will be her main target.”

◗ Joe Talamo has the mount on Bellafina.

“I think we found that going a sprint distance is her best distance,” Callaghan said. “I think she’s very tactical.”

◗ Bellafina races for Kaleem Shah, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

Mia Mischief, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-87

◗ She became a Grade 1 winner last May in the Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs. She was set to defend her title in the race following an Oaklawn allowance win in March, but Kentucky Derby week stakes at Churchill have been postponed to September.

“Our plans have obviously changed,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Mia Mischief. “We planned on waiting and running in the Distaff during Derby week at Churchill. Needless to say, that’s not an option.”

◗ The Carousel became the new option for five-time stakes winner Mia Mischief.

“She’s had success here at Oaklawn,” Asmussen said, “and has trained beautifully.”

For his part, Asmussen has won six runnings of the Carousel.

◗ Mia Mischief will be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr.

“She settles a lot better with her older age,” Asmussen said. “She came out of the box originally extremely aggressive. She’s still a very strong mare. She’s matured, handles easier in her races now.”

◗ Mia Mischief races for Stonestreet Stables.

Amy’s Challenge, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-88

◗ She’s a four-time stakes winner who ran third in last year’s Humana Distaff. Before that, she was second in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland.

◗ Amy’s Challenge comes off a runner-up finish in the Spring Fever. She rallied and was beaten a neck in her second start since last May.

“She had a little bit of a rough trip,” said trainer Mac Robertson. “She rated a little bit.

“I thought she ran hard and was happy with the effort.”

◗ Alex Canchari has the mount for Novogratz Racing Stable.