Into Mischief Colt Survives Race-Long Duel To Graduate

8th-Santa Anita, $63,000, Msw, 10-15, 2yo, 1m, 1:37.55, ft, 1/2 length.
BAROSSA (c, 2, Into Mischief–Bouquet Booth {GSW, $527,279}, by Flower Alley) was sent off the lukewarm 14-5 favorite in a strong-looking two-turn maiden Friday at Santa Anita got just the better of a race-long tussle with Durante (Distorted Humor) to graduate at third asking. The latter, drawn the inside for his first try at a distance of ground, was aggressively ridden and led into the first turn, but was joined immediately to his outside by Barossa and the two went a swift opening quarter in :23 flat. Still moving along at a good clip through a half-mile in :47.48, Durante retained the call as they hit the stretch, met and held the persistent challenge of Barossa deep into the final furlong and gave way grudingly. The winning margin was a half-length. A $775,000 Keeneland September yearling, Barossa was a well-beaten fourth in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden at Del Mar July 25, but attended a good pace in his two-turn debut at Del Mar Aug. 27 and tired fractionally to finish third to Oviatt Class (Bernardini) subsequently third to 'TDN Rising Star' Corniche (Quality Road) and Pappacap (Gun Runner) in the GI Frontrunner S. at this venue Oct. 1. Bouquet Booth, who hails from the same female family as MGISW Riskaverse (Dynaformer) and Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), was most recently bred to Into Mischief's son Audible. Sales history: $775,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-1, $49,200. Click for the Equibase.com chartin  or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Golconda Stable, Madaket Stables LLC, SF Racing LLC, Siena Farm LLC, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan, Robert E Masterson & Jay A  Schoenfarber; B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert.