Into Mischief’s Eclatant stays perfect in 2026 with Chicago S. (G2) win
June 21, 2026
Eclatant surged past Foie Gras in the final strides to win a thrilling renewal of the Chicago S. (G2) on Saturday night at Churchill Downs.
The 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief has won all three of her starts this season, including the Madison S. (G1) at Keeneland in early April, her most recent start prior to Saturday.
Eclatant made her way to the rail soon after the start and settled nicely close behind the pacesetters. Lotsandlotsofcandy and Usha set a rapid half-mile time of :45.17, with Eclatant boxed in behind the leaders and horses to her outside. She switched to the four path turning for home as Foie Gras took the lead. Down the stretch, Foie Gras would not relent, and it was not until the last few jumps that Eclatant took the lead, winning by a head in 1:22.62 on a fast track.
“Brad did a great job giving her time to bring her back,” jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. said of trainer Brad Cox. “She went fast last time, and today the same thing. She’s getting good, getting in her prime now. Hopefully, she keeps doing the same thing.
“I tried to save ground on the turn and I was in contact with the field,” Ortiz said of the trip. “I got lucky that I didn’t have any problems when I wanted to tip her out at the quarter-pole. I was able to hit the clear, and she did the rest.”
The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) is the major target for Eclatant, and with Saturday’s victory, earned a $15,000 credit toward her entry fees for the Breeders’ Cup.
One of four Grade 1 winners in 2026 for Into Mischief, Eclatant is now 6-0-1 in nine starts and has earned $885,423 for owner/breeder Stonestreet Stables LLC.