By Christina Bossinakis
A well-matched field of eight is set to line up for Wednesday's GII Honorable Miss Stakes at Saratoga. Riding a three-race win streak, Juddmonte's Accede (Into Mischief) posted a last-out neck victory in the seven-furlong GII Bed 'O Roses at the Big A June 15. Trained by Chad Brown, the homebred previously recorded a pair of wins at Keeneland at the oval's Fall and Spring meets, including a 1 3/4-length score going six panels against optional claiming company in her seasonal return Apr. 24.
“We'll plan on keeping her running sprint distances and I'm really pleased with her development,” said Brown. “She's taken the time off well and she's done everything you'd want to see from three to four.”
Brown added he was pleased with Accede's final work for the Honorable Miss when covering a half-mile in :48.46 over the Spa main track July 18.
“She's doing great and had her final work [July 18],” said Brown. “She's come back this year a little faster and stronger after a rest after her 3-year-old season. I really like where she's at.”
Flavien Prat takes over from Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard for her three latest wins.
Also heading into the six-furlong test off a win, Robert and Lawana Low's Munny's Gold (Munnings) came home a two-length winner after 10 months on the sidelines in a Saratoga allowance June 7. Runner up in last season's GII Eight Belles Stakes and third in the GI Test, the Florida bred will be accompanied by her regular pilot, Irad Ortiz Jr.
“I thought it was a very good comeback. It was good to see her back in what appears to be top form,” said Todd Pletcher. “It was a good stepping stone to this. I think she's had some physical maturity [since last year] and is a little bigger and a little stronger.”
Munnys Gold has worked consistently at Saratoga, and breezed a half-mile solo in :50.50 seconds July 17 over the main track.
“She's doing excellent and breezed well,” he said after last week's work. “Everything is on target. She's a pretty enthusiastic horse to train on a daily basis, so we just try to keep her as calm and relaxed as we can. She's an absolute sweetheart to be around, unless you're trying to gallop her. She's very forward in her gallops.”
Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Jarret Prussin's Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) looks to remain perfect under the guidance of trainer Steve Asmussen.
The 4-year-old won twice for conditioner Michael McCarthy last season and was defeated a head by Pretty Mischievous in the Test last year before a runner-up effort in the GIII Chillingworth at Santa Anita in September. She completed her sophomore season with off-the-board finishes there in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and GI La Brea Stakes.
This year, Clearly Unhinged is undefeated in two outings for Asmussen, beginning with a 2 3/4-length win in a five-furlong off-the-turf optional claimer in April at Churchill Downs and most recently when taking her first graded victory in the GIII Winning Colors Stakes May 27 over the same oval. Joel Rosario, aboard for both wins, is slated to ride.
Last December's GIII Sugar Swirl Stakes winner Spirit Wind (Bahamian Squall) was a last-out winner at Lone Star in the Memorial Day Sprint Stakes May 27 and attempts to make it two straight with Mike Smith in the saddle, while Sterling Silver (Cupid), third in the June 23 Dancing Renee Stakes against New York breds will try to record her first win since taking a seven-furlong Tampa handicap Mar. 9.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
