Mischief Clem could earn stakes shot with good performance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Mischief Clem won his debut at Del Mar on Sept. 1 with such ease that the colt seemed more in a gallop than racing as he drew off to win by 7 1/4 lengths.

“I could never have expected that,” trainer Bob Hess Jr. said Wednesday. “I was pleasantly surprised but not shocked.”

Mischief Clem beat maidens over 5 1/2 furlongs in that race and makes his first start over six furlongs in a first-level optional $50,000 claimer for California-breds at Santa Anita on Friday.

“The spacing is good, and the distance progression is good,” Hess said. “Everything is positive. He’s going to be a nice Cal-bred.”

The race may lead to a start in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile for California-breds over seven furlongs on Nov. 1.

Mischief Clem races for Griffin Thoroughbred Stables and is part of a field of seven in Friday’s fourth race. Mike Smith will have the mount, replacing Kent Desormeaux, who is sidelined after being kicked by a horse last Sunday.

Mischief Clem races in a field that includes the stakes-placed runners Cardiac, Global Magician, Naomi’s Gift, and Peradventure. Global Magician and Cardiac were second and third in the I’m Smokin Stakes for California-breds over six furlongs at Del Mar on Sept. 1.

Trainer Peter Miller said Global Magician is a candidate for the Golden State Juvenile.

“It’s not an easy race,” he said of Friday’s optional claimer. “The horse of Hess’s was impressive breaking his maiden.”

Softer spot for Bird E House

Bird E House, the winner of two races at Gulfstream Park earlier this year, starts in California for the first time in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer over 1 1/16 miles in Friday’s eighth race. The race is the second time in a week that Bird E House has appeared in the entries at Santa Anita.

Bird E House was entered for the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes last Saturday but was withdrawn by trainer John Sadler for Friday’s easier spot.

“I didn’t want to go that tough,” Sadler said. “I talked common sense into myself.”

Bird E House, by Birdstone, was recently acquired by Hronis Racing and sent to Sadler from trainer Marty Wolfson’s stable. Sadler is hopeful that Bird E House can develop into a stakes runner this winter.

“I see a 3-year-old turning 4 that can run long on dirt,” he said. “There is a lot of value there.”

Bird E House is part of a field of nine that includes Sweet Sunshine and Yard Line, winners of optional claimers at Del Mar in August, and Kate’s Event, who won a $50,000 claimer over a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 14.