Eclipse champion Pretty Mischievous returned to the work tab June 27 at Churchill Downs for the first time since her third-place finish in the June 8 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Working in company with stablemate Sabrina, a maiden claiming winner at Keeneland; Pretty Mischievous breezed four furlongs in an easy :49 2/5 over a track listed as muddy from overnight rain.
Champion #PrettyMischievous completing her four furlong breeze June 27. She went :49 2/5 in company for trainer Brendan Walsh. It’s her first work since the June 8 Ogden Phipps (G1). pic.twitter.com/OAa8iMRGhI
— Sean Collins (@BH_SCollins) June 27, 2024
"I thought she worked great, very easy," said trainer Brendan Walsh. "Just a routine work, nothing fancy at all."
At this time last year, the daughter of Into Mischief was coming off two grade 1 wins and preparing for what would become another grade 1 win over the summer. This year, the 4-year-old is coming off back-to-back thirds at the top level in the May 3 La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs and the Ogden Phipps, both of which could be chalked up to bad racing luck.
The track for the La Troienne came up sloppy, a surface Walsh says she has shown not to love in the past. In the Ogden Phipps, a slow pace setup was not ideal for a filly who typically stalks the leaders, said Walsh.
"The lack of pace in that race really went against her," he said. "Anytime she runs a good race, there's always a good, strong pace. I think that's important for her."
Walsh has not chosen a next start for the Godolphin homebred yet but said all the major races for fillies and mares are on the table. Ultimately, the goal would be a start in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar.
"I'm going to give her a pass on her first couple," he said. "Hopefully, we get her circumstances a time or two between now and the end of the year. We haven't given up on her yet."
First World War Ready to Fire in American Derby
Walsh is currently preparing promising 3-year-old First World War for the $250,000 American Derby at Churchill Downs June 29.
"He's a great training horse; he never has a bad day," he said.
After beginning his career on turf, Walsh tested the son of War Front on dirt in an attempt to see where he stood on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. He finished second in the one-mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 1.
"I think he handled (dirt) well, but he probably wasn't going to get the distance required to be a Derby horse," Walsh said. "A mile, mile-and-a-sixteenth is as far as he needs to go."
In three starts since returning to the grass, the colt owned by Qatar Racing and Hunter Valley Farm is a two-time grade 3 winner, most recently taking the May 31 Penn Mile (G3T) at Penn National.
His one hiccup in those starts was a ninth in the April 5 Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland, a finish that Walsh attributes to the track.
"The ground was a little soft at Keeneland that day," he said. "I think he needs decent ground. That's important."
On firmer ground Saturday, he should be a major contender. Although the American Derby is no longer graded, it is an appealing landing spot for a colt on the upswing.
"It carries a big purse and it's our home track," Walsh said. "It's nice to have a legitimate horse for it."
