Into Mischief filly just misses track record in Soaring Softly S. (G3)

Slay the Day overwhelmed her competition in Sunday’s $200,000 Soaring Softly S. (G3) at Saratoga, rolling to a 3 ¾-length victory in the 5 ½-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

The daughter of Into Mischief has won three of four starts since switching to the turf three months ago, including the Limestone S. (G3) at Keeneland. Her only loss on the grass was by just a length to Breeders’ Cup champion Cy Fair in the Mamzelle S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.

When Alpenglow was intent on getting the lead, Slay the Day tracked in second on the backstretch. Moving into the turn, Slay the Day coasted up the inside and took command on her own, and once she got her cue from John Velazquez, she sprinted clear of the field was never threatened in the stretch.

The final time of 1:01.02 was just a tick off the track record.

“As she’s matured into racing, she’s got tactical where she can switch on and switch off,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “She doesn’t seem, when she gets hooked, that she gets aggressive or wants to go head-and-head. It’s starting to look like she’s getting a bit push-button, which is fantastic as we move forward.”

Slay the Day is owned by Flying Dutchmen and is now 4-2-0 in seven starts, with earnings of $505,238. The bay filly was bred in Kentucky by Pin Oak Stud, LLC.

With nearly $15 million in progeny earnings this year, Into Mischief is the leading sire in North America by stakes winners, graded stakes winners and Grade 1 winners.