Drop a Hint surges late for first stakes win

Into Mischief chalked up his seventh stakes winner of the year on Saturday when Drop a Hint won her 2022 debut in the $50,000 Minaret S. at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 5-year-old mare, who placed in the 2020 Sands Point S. (G2) and two additional listed stakes, is the 108th lifetime black type winner for Into Mischief.

Drop a Hint was unhurried early in the six-furlong Minaret and trailed the field through the first eighth of a mile. She began to pick up steam entering the turn, as she went three-wide to put herself within three lengths of the leaders at the top of the stretch. She slowly cut into My Destiny’s lead down the lane, and with one final push, won by a neck in 1:10.48 on a fast main track.

“I thought she’d be sitting a little closer early, but (jockey) Antonio (Gallardo) did a great job,” said trainer Herman Wilensky. “I told him before the race to just get her to relax, and then it was up to him.

Owned by Sam Wilensky, Drop a Hint will now go to the breeding shed for a scheduled date with Tapit. She retires with a record of 3-5-3 in 20 starts, and earnings of $191,998. Drop a Hint was bred by Clarkland Farm and is out of the stakes-placed mare Allude, who is also the dam of stakes winners Advert, Imply and Dancinginthecircle. This is also the family of Hall of Famer Holy Bull.