Mia Mischief gives Asmussen seventh victory in Carousel Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Mia Mischief gave trainer Steve Asmussen a memorable seventh win in the $125,000 Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, when she stormed to a four and a half-length victory over Amy’s Challenge. It was another three and a quarter lengths back in third to Lady Suebee.

Bellafina, a slight favorite over fellow Grade 1 winner Mia Mischief, broke last of all, had to steady when advancing, and proceeded to chase the leaders before finishing fourth in her first start at 4.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Mia Mischief ($5) and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. tracked pacesetter Amy’s Challenge through an opening quarter in 21.91 seconds and a half-mile in 45.21. Mia Mischief engaged Amy’s Challenge into the stretch, moved past coming to the eighth pole, then separated herself from the field. Mia Mischief covered the six furlongs for fillies and mares on a fast track in 1:09.57.

“I think she’s better now than she’s ever been,” Asmussen said in a post-race interview broadcast by Oaklawn.

“Hopefully, we end up in the Breeders’ Cup with her this fall, and I think with the ability she has, that’s the direction she should be headed in.”

Mia Mischief races for Stonestreet Stables, which purchased the mare for $2.4 million at auction in November at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Ky.

Mia Mischief has now won her last three starts, including the Dream Supreme on Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs and an allowance at Oaklawn to launch her 5-year-old season March 20.

The Carousel was the sixth stakes win for Mia Mischief, whose most prestigious win came last May in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill.

Mia Mischief earned $75,000 for her win Saturday to improve her career record to 10 for 21 for earnings of $1,215,234. She is a 5-year-old daughter of Into Mischief.

Asmussen’s other Carousel winners are Little Sister (1998), Eternal Cup (2004), Savorthetime (2005), Platinum Princess (2006), Vuitton (2013) and Speedinthruthecity (2014).