Pretty Mischievous takes Kentucky Oaks (G1) to cap incredible day for Into Mischief

Into Mischief scaled new heights in his incredible stallion career on Friday when Pretty Mischievous won the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) for her first Grade 1 win.

The victory came just two races after another Into Mischief distaffer, Played Hard, was a determined winner of the $750,000 La Troienne S. (G1), also her first win at the highest level.

Pretty Mischievous, who won the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) at Fair Grounds in February, broke from the outside post in the full field of 14 in Friday’s 1 1/8-mile contest.

Despite the wide draw, Pretty Mischievous and jockey Tyler Gaffalione made good progress early on and were fifth, just a couple of lengths off of pacesetter Flying Connection going around the first turn. Pretty Mischievous was well off the rail in clear as the leader set a solid half-mile of :46.96.

The top four horses were within a length of each other as they made their way around the final bend, with Pretty Mischievous widest of all. She made the lead just after straightening for the stretch run. She opened up by two lengths in midstretch and held off a fast-closing Gambling Girl to win by a neck in 1:49.77.

“This is the kind of thing you dream about, to win a Grade I, especially the Oaks at Churchill Downs, it’s a long way from Cork in Ireland,” said winning trainer Brendan Walsh. “It’s indescribable, it’s exactly what we’re here for, and why these guys (owner Godolphin) breed these good horses, and why everybody works so hard.”

Like Played Hard, Pretty Mischievous became a millionaire with the big payday. Her record is now 5-1-1 in seven starts, with earnings of $1,206,560.

Pretty Mischievous is the second foal out of Godolphin’s Pretty City Dancer, who won the Spinaway S. (G1) as a 2-year-old.