Gamine Into Mischief’s newest millionaire after Derby City Distaff (G1) win

Gamine bounds to victory in the 2021 Derby City Distaff (G1) – Coady photography

Gamine’s victory in Saturday’s $500,000 Derby City Distaff (G1) not only made the champion filly a millionaire, but gave the 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief her fourth lifetime Grade 1 win.

Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) and Champion Female Sprinter of 2020, Gamine’s win avenged her only loss to date in last year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) over this same Churchill Downs surface.

The Derby City didn’t begin well for Gamine after she slipped and stumbled as the gates opened. She quickly recovered though, and had a one-length lead after a quarter-mile in :23.15. Around the turn she held the margin as the pace quickened. Into the stretch, Gamine continued to lead, with Sconsin mounting a challenge late, but getting no closer than 1 1/2-lengths at the wire.

The final time was 1:21.50 for the seven furlongs on a fast track.

“I didn’t know I was that close to the record until a month ago,” said Gamine’s trainer Bob Baffert, who now has a record 220 Grade 1 wins. “To do it here on this big day is very special. I’m just happy for Gamine. She got the job done. I told Johnny (Velazquez) that this was the first time she’s run before a crowd. She was looking around. So many things can go wrong but once I saw her down the backside, I knew we were in the clear.”

Gamine is owned by Michael Lund Petersen. She boosted her earnings to $1,286,500 and has won seven of eight starts.

Bred by Grace Thoroughbred Holdings, Gamine sold for $1.8 million to Petersen at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old sale. She is Into Mischief’s ninth Grade 1 winner, her dam Peggy Jane foaled an Into Mischief colt this year.