Miss Mischief delivers as favorite in HBPA Stakes

Horse-for-the-course Miss Mischief improved her career record at Presque Isle Downs to 5 for 7 when she scored as the favorite in Tuesday night’s $100,000 HBPA Stakes for fillies and mares.

The 5-year-old Miss Mischief ($3.80), ridden by the meet’s leading jockey, Antonio Gallardo, covered a mile and 70 yards in 1:41.14 and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over 5-2 second choice Cactus Kris. It was another length back to Serene Melody, who won a photo for third by a head over Henny Jenney.

The $60,000 winner’s share of the purse raised Miss Mischief’s bankroll to $432,900 for trainer Dale Capuano and owner Diane Manning.

In the co-feature on closing night, the $100,000 Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes, Balk ($10.60) won his third straight race for jockey Erick Rodriguez, trainer Ron Potts, and owner The Elkstone Group. Balk ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.86 to score by a half-length over 10-1 shot Twirling Tiger. The filly Bella Flor finished third, a neck behind the runner-up. Cashel Rock was seventh as the 3-2 favorite.