Mischief Clem Edges Pulmarack in Cal Cup Derby

With odds-on favorite Acceptance spent with a quarter mile to run, longshot Mischief Clem was ultra-game in fending off Pulmarack through the lane, as he prevailed in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Derby by a head under Kent Desormeaux. Trained by Bob Hess, Jr., the bay colt by Papa Clem battled back on the rail late and got 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.82.

Off at 11-1 in a field of seven 3-year-olds bred or sired in California, Mischief Clem paid $25.60, $9.60 and $13.40.

“We’ve always been real high on him,” said Desormeaux. “In a nut shell, today he was finally able to put everything together and I was able to ride him off my fingertips… He was the consummate professional and he got a picture taken.”

Owned by Griffin Thoroughbred Stables, Mischief Clem came off a fourth place to Acceptance in the one mile King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos Dec. 14. Out of the Bold Badgett mare Glitteringmischief, Mischief Clem improved his record to 6-3-1-1 and with the winner’s share of $137,500, increased his earnings to $266,380.

“A wonderful job by Kent,” said Hess. “The horse has a ton of heart. I questioned his ability to go this far. I think he came through today, and I think more than anything, this is his home track. He loves it here. We were able to train him here, school him here. I didn’t do that last time, and it showed today.”

Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke and off at 8-1, Pulmarack pounced on Acceptance at the top of the lane and finished second, 5 ¾ lengths in front of Kluszewski. Pulmarack paid $7.40 and $10.80.

“He never switched to his right lead and I think that cost him,” said Van Dyke. “I would rather have been where Kluzewski was in front of us, but I was behind them so I had to go a little wide the whole way.”

Named for the late major league baseball slugger, Kluszewski checked in third, 6 ½ lengths in front of Acceptance. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Kluszewski was off at 13-1 and paid $14.80 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.77, 48.00, 1:12.72 and 1:38.11.

GO WEST MARIE POWERS HOME TO TAKE SUNSHINE MILLIONS FILLY & MARE TURF SPRINT

With a powerful late rush at the rail, Go West Marie easily overhauled longshot Home Journey to take Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint by three quarters of a length under Gary Stevens. Trained by Eddie Truman, the 4-year-old California-bred filly by Western Fame covered 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in 1:12.18.

Off at 5-1 in a field of 12 California-bred or sired fillies and mares, Go West Marie shortened up off of an impressive one mile turf allowance score on Dec. 28. She paid $13.00, $7.20 and $5.00.

“A great trip,” said Stevens. “Eddie’s done a great job with this filly and I got on her at the right time. I learned a lot about her. I asked him if I could just sit on her and be quiet with her. It worked out well. She exploded with me the last eighth, and I rode her the same way today even though we were shortening up and there was so much speed. The key with a filly like this is they’re professional—let them settle and they’re going to finish for you.”

Owned by Peter Redekop B.C., Ltd., Go West Marie ran her overall record to 17-5-1-5. Out of the Swiss Yodeler mare Marie’s Rose, she picked up $90,000 for the win, which improved her earnings to $402,520.

“This race wasn’t really our choice,” said Truman. “We think she’s better going long but we wanted a Cal-bred race. Her last race was in open company and this was really our only option for Cal-breds. Gary said he would ride her the same way, just sit on her dead last…She has run down the hill and been on the lead, so really, she’ll do anything. She is just so sweet. She’s maturing and getting so much smarter and kinder.”

In a massive effort, Home Journey, who was ridden by Tyler Baze, set fast fractions of 21.20, 42.80 and 1:05.88, held second by a half length over a fast finishing More Complexity. Off at 16-1, Home Journey paid $16.60 and $9.80.

Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, More Complexity, along with Marks Mine, were both returned to the saddling paddock during the post parade, resulting in a lengthy delay. Off at 14-1, More Complexity was keen early while mid-pack past the half mile, had dead aim on the leader turning for home but was third-best. She paid $8.60 to show.

The favorite at 2-1 with Victor Espinoza up, Heat Trap never threatened and finished sixth.

Source: Santa Anita Communications