Separationofpowers Outbattles Mia Mischief in G1 Test

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Klaravich Stables’ Separationofpowers ran the race of her life on Saturday, using every ounce within her to defeat a game Mia Mischief after a thrilling stretch run in the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test Stakes at Saratoga.

Breaking well from post 6 under Jose Ortiz as the 2-1 favorite, Separationofpowers was content to sit in mid-pack early while Classy Act ran along the inside of Mia Mischief through opening splits of :22.70 and :45.73. Entering the far turn, Classy Act began dropping off, leaving Mia Mischief alone up front, but that was quickly erased. Making a bold three-wide move through the far turn, Separationofpowers confronted Mia Mischief at the top of the stretch and attempted to take the lead. Mia Mischief refused to yield, though, and fought back gamely alongside her. The two battled fiercely, with neither filly giving in, but in the shadow of the wire, the Chad Brown trainee lived up to her name and separated herself enough to win by a neck in a final time of 1:22.78 for the 7-furlong main track event.

“It was a thrilling stretch run,” Brown said. “I feel so fortunate she came out on top. She showed her heart and determination. I’m just so proud of my filly, how she showed so much heart to come out on top there. I thought Jose rode such an outstanding race from start to finish. They’re a good combination, those two.”

Taken back shortly after leaving the gate, Kelly’s Humor launched a strong rally in the stretch to nose out third over Alter Moon. Fifth went to Norma’s Charm, while Minit to Stardom, Classy Act, and Spectator (who leapt in the air and hit the gate when it broke open) completed the order of finish. Cathedral Reader was scratched.

Separationofpowers’ win was her first since taking the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park last fall and improved her overall record to 6-3-0-1. The 3-year-old daughter of Candy Ride had been sidelined from November to July after suffering an injury following a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and finished fourth after hitting the gate in her 2018 debut, last month’s Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes. The victory, which was Brown’s first ever in the Test, increased her bankroll to $707,300.

“Last time, we just wanted to get her started,” Brown said. “This filly was injured after her run in the Breeders’ Cup last year and had been going under a lot of rehab and patience to bring her back. To bring her back to her race at Belmont and to have her stumble so bad out of the gate, she came back a little banged up. She grabbed her quarter, had a bunch of scratches all over her. I actually wasn’t sure I’d make the Test with her. Then she came around a couple of weeks later, started breezing again, got to feel her health again, and we came back with a beautiful clean break and a good run.”

Separationofpowers returned $6.60 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.70 to show. Mia Mischief brought back $4.30 to place and $3.20 to show, while Kelly’s Humor paid $4.40 to show.