OAKLAWN: GOLDEN MISCHIEF LEADS WELL-MATCHED SPRING FEVER

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Friday, March 2, 2018) – A well-matched field of 11, including 7-2 program favorite Golden Mischief, is entered in the $125,000 Spring Fever Stakes for older female sprinters Saturday at Oaklawn.

Probable post time for the 5 ½-furlong race, which goes as Race 8 on a nine-race card, is 4:38 p.m. (Central). Doors open Saturday at 11 a.m., with first post 1:05 p.m.

The projected Spring Fever field from the rail out: Barbary Hall, Channing Hill to ride, 119 pounds, 15-1 on the morning line; Okie Diva, Luis Quinonez, 119, 12-1; Golden Mischief, Fernando De La Cruz, 115, 7-2; Defy, David Cohen, 115, 12-1; Thoughtless, Alex Canchari, 115, 12-1; Natural Wonder, Ty Kennedy, 115, 15-1; Marquee Miss, C.J. McMahon, 115, 15-1; Chanteline, Ricardo Santana Jr., 115, 9-2; Swing and Sway, David Cabrera, 122, 4-1; Scotty’s Model, Luis Contreras, 119, 8-1; and My Miss Chiff, Ramon Vazquez, 122, 5-1.

Golden Mischief will be making her first start for famed Juddmonte Farms, Inc. after being purchased for $475,000 in November at Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale.The 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, listed as a racing/broodmare prospect in the sale, was moved to trainer Brad Cox, who tops the Oaklawn standings this year.

“I think it’s one of those things where we’ll just kind of see how she starts the year out and that will kind of determine whether we carry on racing or she’s off to the broodmare shed,” Cox said.

Golden Mischief is already an Oaklawn stakes winner, elevated to first in last year’s $150,000 Purple Martin following the race-related disqualification of Our Majesty in the 6-furlong race.

Previously under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Golden Mischief will be making her first start since winning the $50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes Sept. 24 at Remington Park.

Golden Mischief has been at Oaklawn throughout the meet and came around faster than Cox said he had anticipated.

“She’s trained extremely well,” Cox said. “We’re excited about her. Just kind of moving forward, I thought this might be a good place to get her started.”

Swing and Sway exits a front-running 7 ¾-length victory in the $125,000 American Beauty Jan. 27, Oaklawn’s first of three sprint stakes for older females.

Trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs said Swing and Sway’s ability to stalk the pace could serve her well Saturday since there are several other speed horses entered.

“Let’s see how the race shakes out,” Moquett said. “I’ve got confidence in the rider and the horse, so I’m just going to lead a pretty horse over and see if she can get us where we need to be.”

Natural Wonder, at odds of 23-1, finished second in last year’s Spring Fever. Multiple stakes winner Okie Diva rebounded from a fifth-place finish in the American Beauty to win a Feb. 16 allowance/optional claimer for trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel.

My Miss Chiff has flourished in Louisiana-bred competition for high-percentage trainer Al Stall.