Mischief Clem wins the fight for California Cup Derby

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 trainer Bob Hess Jr.’s 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.

“A wonderful job by Kent,” Hess said. “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.”

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.

Hess is looking to run Mischief Clem in Turfway Park’s $550,000 Spiral Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on March 21.

Mischief Clem returned $25.60, $9.60 and $13.40. Pulmarack paid $7.40 and $10.80, and Kluszewski paid $14.80 to show.

Categorized in: Horses