Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Mischief Clem battled with Pulmarack down
the stretch and pulled out the victory in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup
Derby at Santa Anita.
Won last year by eventual Horse of the Year California Chrome, the Cal Cup
Derby had seven 3-year-olds leave the gate to go 1 1/16 miles.
Setting the pace was 1-2 favorite Acceptance with 11-1 longshot Mischief Clem
pressing from the outside along with 7-2 second pick Tough Sunday. Entering
the far turn, Acceptance was joined by Tough Sunday from the outside with
Mischief Clem and jockey Kent Desormeaux continuing to battle.
Pulmarack, the 8-1 third choice, ranged up from the outside to join the
leaders around the final turn and quickly entered into a duel with Mischief
Clem. These two battled through the stretch until Mischief Clem posted a head
victory.
Getting third was Kluszewski followed by Acceptance, Neveradoubt, Chanito and
Tough Sunday. Avanti Bello was an early scratch.
The time for the Cal Cup Derby was 1:44.82 on a fast track.
Owned by Griffin Thoroughbred Stables, Mischief Clem garnered his first stakes
win and added $137,500 to his earnings. The colt has won half of his six
lifetime starts for $266,380.
Mischief Clem found the winner’s circle in his first two starts. He was third
to Acceptance on Nov. 1 in Santa Anita’s Golden State Juvenile and on Nov. 21
was second in an allowance race at Del Mar. The colt finished 2014 with a
fourth behind Acceptance in the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos.
Mischief Clem returned $25.60, $9.60 and $13.40. Pulmarack paid $7.40 and
$10.80, and Kluszewski paid $14.80 to show.
