Eclatant gives Into Mischief his second graded winner of the day

Eclatant won a thrilling renewal of the Madison S. (G1) Saturday at Keeneland, nosing out Grand Job after a furious stretch battle.

For Into Mischief, the 4-year-old filly’s win came about two hours after his 5-year-old son Point Dume collected his first graded win in the Carter S. (G2) at Aqueduct. Eclatant is the 30^th lifetime Grade 1 winner for Into Mischief.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Eclatant was third along the rail as the field made its way up the backstretch. R Disaster led the way through a rapid half-mile of :44.68 and soon came under pressure from Grand Job. The early fractions took their toll on the pacesetter, leaving Grand Job and Eclatant to battle for the lead coming into the homestretch. Grand Job had the upper hand until the final strides, when Eclatant was able to put her nose in front on the wire.

“I’m so proud (she won) from the one hole. It was awesome,” said Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC. “She could not be doing any better. She looked terrific, and Brad has done a really great job with her. Irad managed to get the trip from the one hole and get her there. That was fabulous. She really deserves the grade 1 and I hope there are more in her future.”

Winner of last year’s Forward Gal S. (G3), Eclatant is now 5-0-1 in eight starts and has earned $705,073. Bred by her owner, Eclatant is a full sister to Grade 2 winner Mutasaabeq.