Miss Sunset continues Del Mar hot streak in CERF Stakes

Into Mischief’s 3-year-old filly Miss Sunset took the $99,000 CERF Stakes at Del Mar on Labor Day, her fourth win in as many starts at the southern California oval. She won the Fleet Treet S. earlier in the meet, and broke her maiden and won the Generous Portion S. last summer during her 2-year-old campaign.

Miss Sunset’s victory capped off a stellar holiday weekend for Into Mischief, who had eight winners over the extended holiday. Overall, the Spendthrift stallion ranks in the top 10 on the General Sire list by winners (126), stakes winners (11) and stakes wins (15).

Jeff Bonde, who trains Miss Sunset for owners Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz, said that jockey Mike Smith’s suggestion to remove Miss Sunset’s blinkers three starts back has made a big difference. She hasn’t lost since.

Miss Sunset came out of the gate in second, chasing a couple of lengths behind longshot Rockport Babe. The :21.78 first quarter-mile began to take its toll on the leader entering the turn, and Miss Sunset swept to the lead with three furlongs to run. In the stretch, Bad Ju Ju gave chase, but was no match for the winner, who came home 1 3/4-lengths in front in 1:09.82 for the six furlongs.

Miss Sunset has now won six of 10 starts and earned $450,390. She was bred in California by Premier Thoroughbreds and Alan Klein.