Goldencents sets track record in Grade 2 Pat O’Brien

Goldencents was simply scintillating in Sunday’s $250,000 Pat O’Brien S. (G2) at Del Mar, rolling to a track record setting six-length victory. The 4-year-old son Into Mischief racked up his fifth lifetime graded stakes win and passed the $2.4 million mark in lifetime earnings.

Into Mischief now has six stakes winners accounting for eight stakes wins in 2014, both in the top three in their respective categories for Third Crop sires.

Goldencents took the fight to the stellar O’Brien field right away, speeding through the half-mile in :45.44. Fed Biz, last year’s O’Brien winner, and Silentio made their run at the front on the turn, but Goldencents shook them off easily to power home, stopping the clock in 1:20.99.

Trainer Doug O’Neill was understandably ecstatic after the win. “He’s run so well when he’s been on the front end. It’s been a great team effort and what a horse!”

Goldencents is Into Mischief’s lifetime leading earner, with wins in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), both in 2013. He is now 6-6-0 in 15 starts, earning $2,434,000. Bred in Kentucky by Rosecrest Farm and Karyn Pirrello. O’Neill’s brother Dennis purchased Goldencents for $62,000 at the 2012 OBS Horses of Racing Age sale.