Xanthique the newest stakes winner for Into Mischief
April 24, 2021
Xanthique became Into Mischief 95th lifetime stakes winner on Saturday with a dramatic score in the $100,000 Dahlia S. on the Pimlico turf course.
The outcome wasn’t decided until the final stride, with Xanthique making up two lengths in the final furlong to nose out Crystal Cliffs (FR) at the wire. Xanthique was several lengths off the pace for the first six furlongs, sitting along the fence. Jockey Feargal Lynch finally swung Xanthique to the outside of Crystal Cliffs and ran her down to snatch the win.
The time for the 1 1/16-miles on the firm turf was 1:41.92.
“We were a little concerned there might be a lack of pace in the race, but we were delighted to see those two fillies go on in front of us. Feargal just stalked the favorite the whole way around there and turning in made a brave run up the rail but she’s as game as a tiger, this horse. I never had any doubt that she put her head in the hole,” winning trainer Thomas Morley said. “Huge credit to my team at Belmont. She’s been a real project filly, so to claim her three years ago and now turn her into a stakes winner is very special indeed.”
Xanthique was stakes-placed in the 2019 Riskaverse S. at Saratoga, and now sports a record of 5-3-1 in 18 starts, and has earned $287,793. She is owned by VinLaur Racing Stables LLC.
Xanthique was bred in Kentucky by Marc Keller. The 5-year-old is Into Mischief’s 17th stakes winner of 2021 and pushed his progeny earnings past the $7.2 million mark this year.