The unbeaten New York-bred filly Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic–City Gift, by City Place), well on her way to a powerful, front-running win in Saturday's GI Test S. at Saratoga, tragically broke down in the shadow of the wire and had to be euthanized on the track.
The GI Kentucky Oaks winner and 9-5 favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), racing one from last for most of the seven-furlong journey, crossed the wire first, a head in front of longshot Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief). 'Rising Star' Munnys Gold (Munnings) was third.
The rail-drawn Pretty Mischievous, quickly guided off the fence by Tyler Gaffalione, raced in sixth through fractions of :22.28 and :44.58. The five-for-five, last-out GIII Victory Ride S. winner kicked for home in complete control as Pretty Mischievous began to wind up while six wide leaving the quarter pole and subsequently commenced her rally down the center of the course.
Maple Leaf Mel led by 2 1/2 lengths at the stretch call and was well clear and being geared down by Joel Rosario approaching the wire as Pretty Mischievous and Clearly Unhinged gave chase.
Maple Leaf Mel, tragically, took a bad step about about 70 yards from home and fell, unseating Rosario.
Both Pretty Mischievous and Clearly Unhinged were steered clear of their ill-fated and fallen rival and Rosario, and hit the wire together, with the former narrowly in front.
Maple Leaf Mel, owned by legendary former football coach Bill Parcells of August Dawn Farm, was humanely euthanized on the track with a catastrophic injury to her right front, per Dr. Luis Castro.
Rosario incurred a cut to his lower lip and was taken to Albany Medical Center via a private vehicle for stitches, but was otherwise alert and in good order. He was off the remainder of his mounts.
Pretty Mischievous, the clear-cut leader in the female sophomore division, was cutting back in distance off a game win going 1 1/16 miles around one turn in the GI Acorn S. at Belmont June 9. She has won four of five starts this term, led by three straight victories at the highest level.
“It's just cruel what happened,” winning trainer Brendan Walsh said. “I just feel terrible for (trainer) Melanie (Giddings) and that whole team. That must be gut-wrenching. My filly ran her race, but that's another story. I don't know what to think right now.”
Added Gaffalione: “To be honest, I'm a bit lost for words right now. I feel so bad for the connections of Mel. It's hard to enjoy this one thinking about that. My condolences go out to their team. Hopefully they're able to get through this and God bless them.”
“The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations,” said Pat McKenna, NYRA VP of Communications. “NYRA, HISA and the New York State Gaming Commission will closely review the circumstances around this incident to ensure we are providing the safest possible environment for racing and training at Saratoga Race Course.”
Pedigree Notes:
Pretty Mischievous is one of 132 black-type winners bred in the Northern Hemisphere by Into Mischief, who also has 65 graded winners, 17 at the top level. Into Mischief is also the sire of fellow Test winners Gamine and Covfefe. The super sire cross of Into Mischief over Tapit is also responsible for GSWs Hoosier Philly and GSW Rocket Can.
Pretty Mischievous is the second foal out of 2016 GI Spinaway S. winner Pretty City Dancer, who is a half-sister to GI Gazelle S. winner Lear's Princess (Lear Fan). Stroud Coleman Bloodstock acquired Pretty City Dancer on behalf of Godolphin for $3.5 million at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November Sale while she was carrying her first foal, now the winning 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly named Ornamental. The mare was barren to Uncle Mo for 2021, but has a Medaglia d'Oro yearling filly and a Street Sense filly born Mar. 28. She was bred back to Into Mischief.
Saturday, Saratoga
TEST S.-GI, $500,000, Saratoga, 8-5, 3yo, f, 7f, :00.00, ft.
1–PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS, 124, f, 3, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Pretty City Dancer (GISW, $286,344), by Tapit
2nd Dam: Pretty City, by Carson City
3rd Dam: Pretty Special, by Riverman
O/B-Godolphin, LLC (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Tyler
Gaffalione. $275,000. 'TDN Rising Star' Lifetime Record:
9-7-1-1, $1,756,560. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Clearly Unhinged, 118, f, 3, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Smart Win, by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Win McCool, by Giant's Causeway
3rd Dam: Win Crafty Lady, by Crafty Prospector
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK
TYPE. O-Rock Brothers Racing; B-Rock Brothers Breeding
LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $100,000.
3–Munnys Gold, 118, f, 3, by Munnings
1st Dam: Haraawa, by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Alseera, by Distorted Humor
3rd Dam: Unbridled Idol, by Unbridled
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($92,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $300,000
Ylg '21 FTKJUL). O-Lawana L. and Robert E. Low; B-Nicksar
Farms (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $60,000.
Margins: HD, 1 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.85, 17.60, 4.40.
Also Ran: Dorth Vader, Jersey Pearl, Tappin Josie, Maple Leaf Mel. Scratched: Interpolate.
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