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Wonder Wheel, Pretty Mischievous give Into Mischief a powerful Oaks duo

May 3, 2023

A full field of 14 3-year-old fillies are entered in Friday’s $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1), including two daughters of Into Mischief.

Wonder Wheel, last year’s champion 2-year-old filly, drew post five, while Pretty Mischievous will start from the far outside in the 1 1/8-mile contest at Churchill Downs.

Owned by D J Stable, LLC, Wonder Wheel will be ridden in the Oaks for the first time by Joel Rosario. After winning four of five starts last year, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Alcibiades S. (G1) and Spinaway (G1). With two starts this year, including a second in the Suncoast S., Wonder Wheel is seeking redemption after finishing off the board the only time in her career in Keeneland’s Ashland S. (G1) on Apr. 7

“We’re super excited that we drew the same post that we did in the Breeders’ Cup win,” said Kim Valerio, bloodstock agent representing D.J. Stable. “Let’s hope she can redeem herself.”

Wonder Wheel, trained by Mark Casse, is the leading money earner in the Oaks field, with $1,578,225.

Pretty Mischievous, owned by her breeder Godolphin, will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. She won her debut and an allowance race, both at Churchill Downs, in her first two starts last year. She also added Fair Ground’s Untappable S. to cap off her 2-year-old campaign.

Her two starts this year have resulted in a win in the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) and a second in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). She has earned $501,310.

“It’s not ideal but I’d rather be there than buried down on the inside,” said trainer Brendan Walsh. “She’s easy to ride so it gives us room to maneuver. We’ll try to come up with the best way to work out a good trip.”

Into Mischief’s third Oaks entrant, Hoosier Philly, drew post 17 on the also-eligible list and would need three defections to make the starting gate.

The Oaks is race 11 on Friday’s stakes-filled card, with a post time of 5:51 p.m. ET.