Out of The Flames wins one for California in Mizdirection Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Perhaps it was only fitting that a filly based in Southern California won the $100,000 Mizdirection Stakes, named for a Southern California-based runner who was a two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Out of The Flames, shipped in from the barn of Simon Callaghan, turned back the Chad Brown-trained Africa in the stretch to win the Mizdirection for 3-year-old fillies by a head at Aqueduct on Sunday. It was another half-length back to March X Press in third.

It was the second straight win and the third in 11 starts for Out of The Flames, who just two weeks ago won a first-level allowance down the hill at Santa Anita.

Callaghan said one of the reasons he shipped Out of The Flames to New York was to see how she would handle the turnback from a 6 1/2-furlong downhill race to a flat race run at six furlongs.

Under Paco Lopez, Out of The Flames stalked I Still Miss You through a half-mile in 45.24 seconds before making a bid for the lead turning for home. She had a one-length lead in midstretch, and despite not finishing on her left lead, she was able to hold off Africa, under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Out of The Flames, a Britain-bred daughter of Showcasing owned by Qatar Racing, finished in 1:08.50 and returned $8.40 as the slight favorite over March X Press.

Callaghan said Out of The Flames doesn’t change leads in the morning when she works, and she doesn’t let other horses pass her in the mornings.

“She’s a filly that will never win by far. We’ve definitely seen that in the mornings,” Callaghan said. “She cruises, never wants to get too far clear, but she doesn’t like them to go past her.”

Africa, breaking from the outside post in the 10-horse field, was wide throughout and lost precious ground on the turn.

“I don’t want to take too much hold of her because she has a very light mouth,” Ortiz said.

March X Press nosed out Mentality for third. They were followed by Golden Days, She’s All Skeet, Jehozacat, Raucous, I Still Miss You, and Gibby.