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Mizdirection defended her title in the $1 million GEICO Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park, taking down Reneesgotzip and Tightend Touchdown with a brilliant stretch run while favored at odds of 5-2. (VIDEO)
Swung wide off the turn by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in the 6 1/2-furlong event down her beloved downhill turf course, the 5-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast finished in 1:12.25 as the two she edged by half a length finished in a deadheat. Unbridled's Note was fourth.
"I broke better this time (compared to last year's race)," Smith said. "Much more alert. I took advantage of the break and I took the rail right away...you get a lot of momentum coming out of that turn going left. Man, she was right there. I was worried I might have been a little too close, but I'm glad I was because the lead horses weren't stopping. Reneesgotzip wouldn't give up."
The other female in the field of 13, 4-year-old Reneesgotzip sprang out to the lead through a quick quarter in :21.47 and a half in :43.36. She remained clear past midstretch and held on well, but was caught late by the flying Mizdirection and by a late-closing Tightend Touchdown.
Mizdirection is now 6-for-6 on the downhill turf at Santa Anita and a two-time winner of the Turf Sprint with two editions of the Monrovia Stakes (gr. IIT this year, gr. IIIT in 2012), the Buena Vista (gr. IIT), and the Las Cienegas (gr. IIT) also to her credit. Trained by Mike Puype for a partnership group that includes Bill Strauss and sports media personality Jim Rome's Jungle Racing, she came off a nearly five-month break between races to get the job done, having finished fifth in the June 8 Just a Game Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park.
Bred in Kentucky by Joseph Perrotta out of the Clever Trick mare Deceptive, Mizdirection made her last start to wrap up her career with an 11-4-1 record from 17 starts with earnings of $1,719,621. She is entered in the Fasig-Tipton November sale, which begins Nov. 4 in Lexington.
"She loves it here, eh?" Puype said. "She loves Santa Anita... she's really tenacious, but it's quite sad that she is getting on a plane tomorrow and heading for the sales."
The winner returned $7.40, $4.40, and 3.40. Tightend Touchdown paid $6.80 and $8.60. Reneesgotzip brought $3.60 and $4.80. Completing the order of finish were Dimension, Rock Me Baby, Jeranimo, Handsome Mike, Chips All In, Havelock, Spring to the Sky, Boat Trip, and Capo Bastone. Caracortado scratched.
