Waves of Mischief wins thrilling renewal of Pucker Up S. (G3)

Waves of Mischief ran down Pin Up Betty in the final strides to win the $400,000 Pucker Up S. (G3) by a head on Aug. 4 at Ellis Park.

The heart-stopping victory was the first stakes win for the 3-year-old Into Mischief filly, who had placed in the Hilltop S. in May at Pimlico.

Waves of Mischief, in post 3, broke well and settled behind Pin Up Betty, who led the field through a half-mile in :48.37. As the field entered the final turn, Pin Up Betty began to widen her margin and looked to be in command with a furlong to run. Waves of Mischief had other ideas though and closed with a big finish to put her head in front just before the wire.

The final time for the nine furlongs on the firm turf was 1:47.50.

“It was my first time on her and Brendan told me to find her some cover early in the race,” said winning rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. “Into the first turn, I got her covered up but she pulled me out of that spot down the backside. So I let her do her own thing, and it worked out perfectly.”

Waves of Mischief is now 2-0-1 in four starts and has earned $307,247. She was bred by Pam and Martin Wygod and is owned by Qatar Racing LLC, who bought the bay filly for $575,000 a the 2023 OBS Spring 2-year-old sale.

Pedigree Notes from the TDN

The 76th individual graded stakes winner for perennial leading general sire Into Mischief, Waves of Mischief is one of two foals (and two winners) for her late un-raced dam Pearl River. Second dam Ain’t She Sweet, though un-raced herself, is a full-sister to champion 2-year-old filly Sweet Catomine and MGISW Life is Sweet.