Musical Mischief overcomes trouble to take $400,000 Locust Grove S. (G2)

Into Mischief got his 13^th graded stakes winner of the year Saturday at Churchill Downs when Musical Mischief drew off to a 3 ¼-length victory in the $400,000 Locust Grove S. (G2).

The victory, the first black type win of any kind for the 4-year-old filly, was not without drama. She sat in the pocket along the inside just behind the leaders for the first six furlongs. When it came time to make her move just before turning for home, she had to check hard off heels. Jockey Edgar Morales quickly regathered her and when an opening appeared with a furlong to run, she shot through and powered away from the field to win convincingly.

The final time for the 1 1/16-miles on a fast track was 1:42.91.

“Early in the winter, she really wasn’t herself, so we sent her home and when she came back here in Kentucky she was back to her old self,” said winning trainer Michael McCarthy. “Today, three furlongs from home, I could tell she was loaded. Edgar did a great job to bide his time and be as patient as he could. It really paid off.”

The winner is now 4-2-1 in 12 starts and has earned $515,024 for owner Stoneway Farm, who purchased her for $300,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale. She was bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farm.

Pedigree Notes from the TDN

This is the 161st stakes winner for leading sire Into Mischief and his 77th individual graded stakes winner. Dam Sophia’s Song, sold to Japan’s Shadai Farm for $1.35 million at FTKNOV last year, has already produced Musical Mischief’s year older half-brother, GISW Bright Future. This is the family of Eclipse Champion Sprinter Housebuster.