It took her every single stride of the stretch to get there but Waves of Mischief just edged out race favorite Pin Up Betty (Constitution) to take Sunday's GIII Pucker Up Stakes at Ellis Park. Making her fourth start over as many tracks for Brendan Walsh and Qatar Racing, the $575,000 OBS March grad came out a winner on debut at Keeneland in April, just managed to hit the board in the Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico May 17 and was well out of it after racing keen early last out in the GIII Selene Stakes in her first try on the Tapeta at Woodbine June 29. Back on the grass and trying 1 1/8 miles for the first time, the 7-1 shot also raced without blinkers Sunday under Brian Hernandez.
As the more experienced race favorite shot out to an easy lead, Hernandez kept Waves of Mischief covered up against the rail, enjoying a cozy trip from third through an opening quarter in :24.19. Tipped out to the clear for the run into the far turn as the field still had plenty of work to do to keep up with the pacesetter, she got first jump to the outside past the quarter pole and really got running late to nail Pin Up Betty in the final jump of a driving finish.
“It was my first time on her and Brendan told me to find her some cover early in the race,” said Hernandez. “Into the first turn, I got her covered up but she pulled me out of that spot down the backside. So I let her do her own thing, and it worked out perfectly.”
“She was a little keen at Woodbine last time, so we decided to take off the blinkers today,” added Walsh's assistant Paul Madden. “Brian gave her a masterful ride, and his confidence is soaring right now. Turning for home, he waited just a moment before asking her to catch Pin Up Betty, and it was the winning move.”
Pedigree Note:
The 76th individual graded stakes winner for perennial leading general sire Into Mischief, Waves of Mischief is one of two foals (and two winners) for her late un-raced dam. Second dam Ain't She Sweet, though un-raced herself, is a full-sister to champion 2-year-old filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat) and MGISW Life is Sweet (Storm Cat). This is also the family of MGSW and sire Modernist (Uncle Mo). Pearl River, lost in 2023, has an un-raced 2-year-old named Stars and Stripes (Not This Time) and a now yearling Nyquist colt still to represent her on track.
It's been a good day for jockey @b_hernandezjr! 💪
He gets a riding triple after piloting Waves of Mischief to victory at 7/1 in the G3 Pucker Up S. at @ellisparkracing! A training double for @brenpwalsh. 🏆
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/Tgyn3TSQN2
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 4, 2024
Sunday, Ellis Park
PUCKER UP S.-GIII, $380,500, Ellis, 8-4, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:47.50, fm.
1–WAVES OF MISCHIEF, 118, f, 3, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Pearl River, by Quality Road
2nd Dam: Ain't She Sweet, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Sweet Life, by Kris S.
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($575,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Qatar Racing LLC; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.. $238,800. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $307,247. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Pin Up Betty, 122, f, 3, Constitution–I'm Betty G, by Into Mischief. O/B-Three Diamonds Farm (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $78,000.
3–Kalispera (Ire), 118, f, 3, Ten Sovereigns (Ire)–Ask Me Nicely (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-William K. Werner; B-Mrs Ann Marie O'Brien (IRE); T-Brian A. Lynch. $24,000.
Margins: HD, 1, 1. Odds: 7.34, 1.26, 8.81.
Also Ran: Mo Fox Givin, Mont Saint Michel (Fr), Everland, She's Fire, Sanctify, Adrasteia. Scratched: Hello Hollywood.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs.
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