Golden Mischief prevails in My Trusty Cat

Golden Mischief won her two-turn debut Friday night at Delta Downs, overtaking pacesetter Flatter Up in the later stages of the $100,000 My Trusty Cat for a 1 3/4-length victory. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Forest Circle in third.

The My Trusty Cat was the local prep for the Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess, a one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies on the Jackpot Day program Nov. 19. Golden Mischief on Friday earned first preference into the Princess if the race is oversubscribed. The field will be capped at 10. Nominations close Saturday.

Golden Mischief ($6.20) was winning her third straight race in the My Trusty Cat, following an eight-length maiden special weight score at Ellis and an allowance-sprint victory at Churchill Downs. She was content to settle in fourth early, as Flatter Up moved to the lead soon after the start and was tracked by favorite and eventual fourth-place finisher Bling On the Music.

Golden Mischief advanced between horses down the backside, began to pick up steam on the final turn, then took aim at Flatter Up in the stretch. The final time for the seven-furlong race run on a six-furlong oval was announced as 1:26.77.

The fractional times were announced as 22.15 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.09 for the half-mile, and 1:11.99 for six furlongs. The track was listed as “fast” on Friday.

Gerard Melancon was aboard Golden Mischief for Bill and Corrine Heiligbrodt and trainer Steve Asmussen. Golden Mischief is a daughter of Into Mischief. She picked up $60,000 for her win in the My Trusty Cat and now sports a career record of three wins from six starts for earnings of $132,350.