G1 winner Mia Mischief out-duels Covfefe in Churchill’s Roxelana

Mia Mischief, winner of the Humana Distaff S. (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day, returned to the Churchill Downs winner’s circle on Saturday with a hard-fought win in the $120,000 Roxelana S. (VIDEO)

The victory was worth $74,120 and boosted the 4-year-old Into Mischief filly’s bankroll to $957,540 with a record of 15-7-6-0. She also won the Eight Belles (G2) last year.

The Roxelana was billed as a showdown between Mia Mischief and the brilliant 3-year-old Into Mischief filly Covfefe, who set a track record in the Miss Preakness (G3) last month. Covfefe, as expected, went right to the lead, with Mia Mischief and Classy Act in hot pursuit. After a quarter-mile in :21.38, Covfefe and Mia Mischief began to inch away and were four lengths clear of the field at the top of the stretch.

Side-by-side until inside the final furlong, Mia Mischief began to pull clear with Covfefe grudgingly giving ground. At the wire, Mia Mischief was a half-length in front of late-closing Awestruck, with a gallant Covfefe a neck back in third.

The final time was an excellent 1:09.76 for the six furlongs on a fast track.

“(She) is such a nice filly and we beat a very nice filly in Covfefe today,” said jockey Rafael Santana, Jr. “Going around the turn, (Covfefe) kicked clear a little bit and got me a little worried. Mia is such class and just kept digging in for more.”

Mia Mischief could be head back to Saratoga this summer. She was second by a neck in last year’s Test S. (G1).

“It was very special to get this filly back to the winner’s circle and get ready for bigger races down the road,” said trainer Steve Asmussen.

Mia Mischief was bred by Spendthrift Farm and is owned by Heiligbrodt, Heider Family Stables and Madaket Stables.

Into Mischief came into Saturday ranked third on the 2019 General Sire list, and with Owendale also winning the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3), he will likely surpass Tapit for the second spot.