Godolphin homebred Pretty Mischievous overcame a wide draw and a wide trip and held off a late charge from Gambling Girl to prevail in the 149th running of the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday.
Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Pretty Mischievous covered the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:49.77. It was the first Kentucky Oaks victory for Walsh and Gaffalione.
Pretty Mischievous raced in the clear four-wide around the far turn and took command at the head of the lane. She opened up on the field in the stretch and held at bay a late rally from Gambling Girl to score at the wire. The victory was worth $767,250, increasing Pretty Mischievous’ earnings to $1,268,560. The win improved her overall record to 7-5-1-1.
“It’s amazing,” said Gaffalione. “I feel so blessed. The trip worked out perfectly. I stayed out (of) her way and she took me the whole way. What an incredible filly.”
Brendan Walsh said of the momentous victory, “This is the kind of thing you dream about, to win a Grade 1, especially the Oaks at Churchill Downs. It’s a long way from Cork in Ireland. It’s indescribable, it’s exactly what we’re here for, and why these guys (Godolphin) breed these good horses, and why everybody works so hard.”
Earlier this season, she captured the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds and was runner-up in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Pretty Mischievous is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Into Mischief out of the Tapit mare Pretty City Dancer.