Malibu Mischief tries turf in Matron

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Gary Contessa will look to keep his strong meet going when he sends out Malibu Mischief in a field of 12 in Monday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Matron Stakes for juvenile fillies on turf.

The Matron, like Sunday’s Futurity Stakes, had been a long-time staple on dirt.

Malibu Mischief has made all three of her starts on dirt, winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special race by six lengths here Sept. 16.

Contessa, who won two races Thursday and has nine wins on the meet, said he breezed Malibu Mischief on the turf at Saratoga and liked what he saw. He also believes she has some pedigree on the dam side for the turf. Her dam, Chana’s Girl, is a half-sister to a turf stakes winner.

“She also has high knee action, and that can sometimes be a sign that she might turf,” Contessa said.

Entirely, a daughter of Point of Entry, is 2 for 2 on turf and comes off a neck victory in the Sharp Susan Stakes at Gulfstream. That race was 7 1/2 furlongs around two turns.

Jaded Lady, Lonely Road, Dragic, Tradeable, Egoli, Questionoftheday, Guacamole, Jazzy J, Into the South, and Monette are the others entered in the Matron.