Mia Mischief prevails in Churchill Downs' Eight Belles Stakes

William and Corinne Heligbrodt, Heider Family Stables and Madaket Stables’ Mia Mischief fought off an early test from Amy’s Challenge and then held off a late bid from Talk Veuve to Me by 1 ¾ lengths to win the 63rd running of the $200,000 Eight Belles presented by Kentucky Trailer (Grade II) for 3-year-old fillies.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Mia Mischief covered the seven furlongs in 1:21.84 over a fast main track in the first of six graded stakes on the Kentucky Oaks Day card.

It is Asmussen’s third victory in the race with others coming with Four Gifts in 2009 and Cashier’s Dream in 2002.

“She seems to improve in every start," Asmussen said. "I made a few mistakes with her in the past but we figured all of them out it seems. I saw during the middle of the race on the Big Board that she was well within herself and she carried herself even on the gallop out way in front.”

Mia Mischief is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Into Mischief out of the Speightstown mare Greer Lynn. The victory was worth $121,520 and increased Mia Mischief’s earnings to $342,320 with a record of 7-4-3-0.

Favored in the field of seven, Mia Mischief returned $5, $3 and $2.20. Talk Veuve to Me, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, returned $4.20 and $3.40 and finished 4 ¾ lengths in front of Gas Station Sushi, who paid $3 to show under Corey Nakatani.

It was another 3 ¼ lengths back to Salt Bae, who was followed in order by Criminal Mischief, Hold Her Tight and Amy’s Challenge.