Maximus Mischief filly wins Woodbine’s Royal North S. (G3), becomes sire’s third GSW in 2025
May 31, 2025
Ms. Tart came from last at the top of the stretch to snatch victory in the final strides of the $150,000 Royal North S. (G3) on May 31st at Woodbine.
The 4-year-old filly is the sixth stakes winner, three of them graded winners, for Maximus Mischief in 2025. With $3.2 million in progeny earnings, he trails only Omaha Beach and Vino Rosso on the Third-Crop sire list, and leads the list by graded winners and graded horses.
Overlooked by the public despite finishing third in the Whimsical S. (G3) four weeks ago, Ms. Tart was last of 10 for the first half-mile of the 6 ½-furlong turf affair. Turning for home, she was some eight-wide and still in last, but once she straightened for the stretch drive, she passed horses readily and flew through the final 50 yards to win by a half-length in 1:15.56 over the “good” turf.
“It’s amazing,” said trainer Kevin Rice. “It’s my first graded stakes win, and it was just exciting watching, because, you know, going the gate, we’re 40-something to one, and I’m not sure how we’re going to do here, you know, full field and trying the turf here, but it was just amazing.”
With her first stakes win, Ms. Tart upped her record to 6-0-2 in 16 starts, with earnings of $258,912 for her owner Nathan McCauley.
Ms. Tart was bred in Kentucky and is a half-sister to stakes winner T D Vance and graded stakes-placed Kid Perfect.