Into Mischief returns with victory

ARCADIA, Calif.-Into Mischief returned from a layoff of more than eight months to win the $113,800 Damascus Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, the race after the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Into Mischief ($8.80) overcame a spot of trouble in early stretch to win the seven-furlong Damascus Stakes by two lengths over 13-1 Dancing in Silks. Hatta Fort, a 9-1 chance, finished third, with Georgie Boy, the 7-5 favorite, fourth.

Into Mischief, ridden by Victor Espinoza, was timed in 1:20.38. He was fifth for the first half-mile and rallied three wide in the stretch to reach the front in the final furlong. Owned by B. Wayne Hughes and trainer Richard Mandella, Into Mischief has won 3 of 5 starts and $547,080. The Damascus Stakes was his second stakes win, preceded by the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park last December.

* Muny extended his winning streak to three with a front-running victory in the Grade 2, $150,000 Oak Tree Derby, the day's final race.

Ridden by David Flores, Muny ($22.80) held off a late run from an unlucky Madeo, who was stuck in traffic along the rail in the stretch. Dixie Chatter finished third in the field of 14.

Muny ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:47.69. The winning streak coincides with his move to two-turn races. At Del Mar, Muny won a one-mile maiden race on the main track and an optional claimer over a mile on turf.